With back-to-school around the corner, filling their children’s back packs with supplies is at top of mind for parents.
To help alleviate this financial pressure for Montreal low-income families, Sun Youth is stepping in.
“Belonging is so important to a kid’s self-esteem,” said Francine Goyette, Assistant-Director at La mosaïque Elementary School in a press release. “Having backpacks just like the other children changes their whole attitude towards school.”
“This in turn,” she added. “Increases their chances of academic success.”
The distribution, taking place from Aug. 19 to 30.
And Sun Youth said that many depend on this help.
“This year, parents will have to pay around $150 per child for school supplies,” they indicated in the press release. “Depending on their school and grade, and that is not counting textbooks and other materials they will have to purchase from the school.”
“This is well above the $121 allocation offered by the provincial government,” they added. “And in a context of inflation where the cost of food has increased by 21.9 per cent in three years, and housing by 6 per cent in one year.”
“This can be a significant financial stress.”
The organization said 800 children have already registered for the distribution.
Including Luz Aurora, 11, and her sister Shalom Sinai, 15, daughters of Jesus Flores and Mayra Cruz Roman.
The family, originally from Veracruz, Mexico, will celebrate their second anniversary in Canada in Dec.
Their cousin, Carla Shamira, aged 6, and her mother, Nayeli Cruz Roman — also joined them at the distribution on Monday morning.
According to Sun Youth, it is not only families who rely on their assistance.
“Schools also call on the organization’s support for the whole school year,” they explained.
The organization already donates supplies to three schools in its district — with this, teachers can supply items free of charge from the donated stock.
Their most sought-after items:
- Back packs
- Duotangs
- Duotangs with pockets
- Packs of large washable felt pens
- Canada Notebooks
- Lunch boxes
- 2-inch binders
- 1-inch binders
- Gridded Canada Workbooks
- Separators
- Loose-leaf packages
“Our fundamental objective,” Sun Youth said in their press release. “Is to alleviate poverty and prevent exclusion.”