The Chebucto Family Centre started their back-to-school drive for families in the Spryfield, N.S., area a month ago. They have already handed out 30 full backpacks to their clients and families on their registration list, but now the list has doubled and they are asking the public for help. “We have 50 more on the list and it’s growing as we speak. Just in the last hour we had eight more people added to our list so it’s really an increased need that we are seeing,” says Cynthia MacLean, the family centre’s director of programs. MacLean says the community has already stepped up, and they are grateful for the generous donations. She adds the need is always growing so more help is always welcomed. “Prices have gone up so much, families really are in need. A lot of families are struggling just to put food on their table. School supplies are a whole other need that’s not met in a lot of budgets,” says MacLean. Katherine Kennedy, the Chebucto Family Room co-ordinator says many businesses have jumped on board whether it’s donating backpacks or supplies. “We were in desperate need of backpacks and were worried we were not going to be able to fill our list, and then Rockingstone stepped up and gave us all kinds. So, it’s donations like that that make a big difference for us,” says Kennedy. The team here is looking for all new items and so far, that’s what they have been receiving. They say every donation goes a long way. “We have had Bacchus Motorcycle club; they donated all kinds of things to us. They specifically called and asked the things that would be helpful and we were able to give them a little list which was awesome. We had people called ‘Nonna and the do crew,’ [they] donated lunch boxes and water bottles and pencil cases, all brand new,” she says. Whether its water bottles, notebooks, highlighters or dry erase markers, this team is seeking all school supplies. People can drop off supplies or donate online. “We haven’t been able to give out any headphones or sneakers yet. Sneakers and headphones are one of the things on almost every child’s list, but they are very expensive. Even dollar store headphones are five dollars so if we did that for every child that would be hundreds of dollars for us,” says Kennedy. The team knows the need firsthand. They say more families are looking for help this year compared to last. “We have a really large newcomer population, we are seeing new families every single day. We have had new families every day this week and they are all registering for school supplies,” says Kennedy. For those in the Spryfield-area who are still needing help purchasing school supplies for their children, registration for this program is open until Monday. People can register online to call the team at the Chebucto Family Centre. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
