Even though school is not quite out yet for the summer, work is already underway to ensure kids have the supplies they need for the first day this September.
Thames Valley Education Foundation (TVEF), the Salvation Army, and United Way Elgin Middlesex have launched their annual community-wide school supply drive - Best First Day.
The annual initiative asks area residents and businesses to donate a wide range of school supplies or make a financial contribution to the cause. Donated items such as lunchboxes, calculators, pens, pencil crayons, paper, and binders are then put inside of donated backpacks by volunteers and distributed to kids in need within the Thames Valley District School Board and London District Catholic School Board in time for the first day of school. Cash donations are used to buy these same supplies.
"We believe that every student deserves the chance to start their school year with confidence and the tools they need to succeed," said Brittany Webb, the executive director of TVEF. "Our Best First Day backpack drive is a vital part of our mission to support students and alleviate some of the financial burdens faced by families in our community."
Last year, the initiative saw more than 3,700 backpacks filled with essential school supplies given to students across the region. Organizers are hoping this year's campaign will exceed last year's total.
"We are incredibly grateful for the support we've received from our community in the past, and we're confident that, together, we can make this year’s Best First Day our most impactful yet," said Webb.
Donations are being accepted until August 1. A list of needed supplies and drop-off locations can be found online at bestfirstday.ca. Anyone interested in volunteering to help sort, pack and distribute backpacks can do so by emailing b.webb@tvdsb.ca.
