MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, August 1, 2018 • PAGE A1
MOOSE JAW
Volume 11, Issue 31 Wednesday, August 1, 2018
EXPRESS Moose Jaw’s REAL community newspaper
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School supplies can often be a big expense for parents during the month of August.
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The Salvation Army in Moose Jaw is starting the Back-toSchool Backpack program to help local families.
Salvation Army launches Back-to-School Backpack program Sarah Catterick
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The Moose Jaw Salvation Army has started a new program to help children, that may not otherwise be able to afford school supplies, get the supplies they need for school this fall. The Back-to-School Backpack program has been successful at Salvation Army centres across Saskatchewan and now Moose Jaw families will be able to benefit from it, too. Sonya Bowles, Family Services Coordinator for the Salvation Army in Moose Jaw, is enthusiastic about the new local program. “We want to make sure that all kids are going back to school excited and not feeling out of place. Everyone should be able to feel like they fit in. We can all remember the excitement of getting those brand-new school supplies and writing your name on each of the notebooks and binders.” However, Bowles is aware that not everyone feels this same excitement. She says, “Going back to school is often a huge expense. The list of school supplies is long and many families have to decide between new binders or new shoes. No one should have to decide between those two needs. So we want to lessen the burden a bit with this program.” This fall, the Salvation Army is hoping to help 100 school-aged children by filling backpacks with all the necessary school supplies. The backpacks will be available through an in-person application process that will take place from the 13th to the 21st of August at the Salvation Army Community Services office. Parents are asked
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to bring proof of address and income, the student’s valid health card, and the name of the Moose Jaw school they will be entering in the fall. Bowles is determined to make this service a yearly event. “Since this is our first year doing this, we are aiming to give out 100 backpacks, but hopefully we can grow that number each year and help as many people as possible.” It will certainly be a community effort. The program will be funded in part by the annual Christmas Kettle Campaign. Salvation Army has also partnered with the local Real Canadian Superstore to raise money for the school supplies. Bowles says, “Anyone who wants to help can donate to the program at Superstore and the cashiers will be asking everyone if they want to contribute to this important program during the first weekend in August. That’s also where all our school supplies for the backpacks will come from.” Bowles knows that having all the necessary school supplies can make the transition from summer to school-time significantly easier. “We want to give every child the chance to succeed. We want them to be excited about learning and make returning to school a positive experience with as few worries as possible.” For further information about the program, eligibility, and how to register please contact the Salvation Army Community Services office at 306-692-5899 or stop by to apply at 175 1st Avenue NE.
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