A locally produced video aims to open people's eyes to child poverty issues in Nanaimo.
The Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation launched its new awareness video – Be the Difference … Support Our Kids – this week.
The video describes some of the poverty issues Nanaimo students face, such as working two jobs to help feed the family or dropping out because they don't have proper clothes or a bus pass to get to school, and how people can help.
Local band Braeden Marshal donated an original song called "The Simple Life" for the project.
Wilson Pascoe recorded and mixed the song and Kevin White produced the video alongside foundation staff and volunteers.
The foundation provides students in need with clothing, food, school supplies and other basic necessities to keep them in school and focused on learning.
The video can be viewed at www.nlsf.ca.
The foundation's annual Stock the Lockers campaign, which aims to raise $60,000, is accepting donations at any Staples location in Nanaimo until Sept. 6. Donations can also be made at the four Coastal Community Credit Union locations in Nanaimo, via cheque to the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation or online at www.nlsf.ca.