Summer might be winding down but the United Way of Bruce Grey’s Backpack Program is in full swing.
Staff and volunteers have been busy packing backpacks that will be delivered to children across Bruce and Grey Counties.
The Backpack Program was launched in 2005 and since then the organization has packed over 25,000 backpacks to children of low income families. This summer over 2,000 backpacks have been packed and there are more orders to fill.
In response to this need, the United Way is hosting their annual Stuff The
Bus event to help raise funds for the program and to collect much needed school supplies.
The event will take place this Thursday, August 22nd to 24th at Staples in Owen Sound at 1077 10th Street West. Representatives for the organization will be on site with a big yellow school bus donated to the event by Martin’s Transit.
The goal is to “stuff the bus” with as many school supplies as possible. The event provides the public with an opportunity to give back to their community by donating school supplies or by making a financial donation to the Backpack
Program.
The hours of the event are:
Thursday, August 22nd: 8 am to 9 pm
Friday, August 23rd: 8 am to 9 pm
Saturday, August 24th: 8 am to 6 pm
Backpack Co-ordinator Sarah Raynsford attributes the success of the program to strong community support and the generosity of their donors and volunteers. “We’ve had a great response to the program and this support enables us to reach so many children. Our donors really appreciate that their donations, whether
they be monetary or school supplies, stay local and make a direct difference in the life of a child in BruceGrey” says Raynsford.
Secure online donations to the Backpack Program can be made through Canada Helps at www.DonateToday.ca or at the United Way office at 380 9th Street East in Owen Sound.
For more information of the Backpack Program, visit www.Backpacks4Kids.ca or call 519-376-1560.
If families would like to access the Backpack Program, call 211 to register.
