The 23rd edition of Welcome Hall Mission’s Back to School event, “Going Back with your Head Held High,” distributed thousands of school bags and supplies to help Montreal students prepare for the new school year.
The event on Friday held to help reduce financial stress and pressure on Montreal families – amid rising costs.
“All of the equipment inside it is brand new it’s the latest stuff, it’s also stuff that we know they need because we’ve consulted with their schools,” said Welcome Hall Mission CEO Sam Watts.
“We feel that if somebody is experiencing poverty or somebody is experiencing homelessness, they don’t deserve our second best – they deserve our BEST.”
Watts said 2,000 bags filled with supplies were handed out and it’s just one of the many events that are essential for youth development.
He added that the goal is to always ensure Montrealers have a place to call home.
“One of the things we’ve seen in the current reality is that the cost of housing has gone up, cost of food has gone up, cost of transportation is going up,” Watts said. “Those are the things that families struggle with the most.”
Despite the heavy rain on Friday, many Montreal families attended the giveaway at Pavillon Henri-Bourassa where local organizations held information sessions to help keep students and families on track during the academic year.
“I’m here for my siblings,” said Temitope Abijo. “It is very, very important because honestly I haven’t been in Canada for long and this is the first time they will be attending school,” Abijo said.
Watts said the funding for this was from donations made by Montrealers – likely hundreds of thousands of dollars. He credits their generosity and added that school supplies can cost hundreds of dollars – for just one child.
“This is a very good thing and it’s an appreciation,” said parent Rakebul Bhuiyn. “The help people are getting here, so many people need this.”
“The kids love to be able to make a choice, they’re getting to choose the backpack that they want,” Watts said.
The next event will be held in Saint-Henri on August 13.
For more on, visit welcomehallmission.com.