Four businesses have teamed up to make sure students have the supplies needed to head back to school.
For the Timmins Backpacks for Kids Program, people can donate backpacks, lunch bags, pencils, pens, binders, loose leaf paper, coloured pencils, crayons, scissors, calculators, scribbling or other supplies.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has put significant strain on families and this is something we can do to help with the extra costs associated with the new school year. As the costs associated with school supplies are removed, families in need are able to allocate more funds to food security, shelter, transportation, medicine, amongst other basic needs," said Dr. Katie Fraser, program co-ordinator and local chiropractor.
The goal is to help at least 100 students in in low-income situations. The backpacks will be confidentially given to schools across the city.
The items can be dropped off at the Timmins Chiropractic Clinic, Discover Fitness, Family Eye Care, or the Movement Studio until Aug. 17. There is also a donation table at the Downtown Timmins BIA Urban Market, which runs Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., until mid August.
Physical distancing protocols must be followed when dropping off items.
Fraser said the four businesses organizing the initiative have worked on fundraisers together in the past. It's also a way of showing "support for the community that supported them throughout the pandemic."
“We all had our office doors closed for significant amounts of time from COVID-19 and are very thankful for the community support we received. It’s always important to pay it forward,” she said.
For more information on the program, reach out to Timmins Chiropractic Clinic, Discover Fitness, Family Eye Care, or the Movement Studio.
