Skip to content

Low-income families get help for school supplies

Pens, paper, binders and other school supplies can be expensive as students prepare to go back to school.

Pens, paper, binders and other school supplies can be expensive as students prepare to go back to school.

The Okotoks Healthy Family Resource Centre works to make it a little easier for low-income families to afford to get their children ready for the class room with it’s annual back to school supply program.

The program provides financial assistance to families for school supplies.

Kristi Aiello, Resource centre co-ordinator, said there is a huge need in the community for the program.

“I think there is definitely a need based on our numbers and also based on rising costs,” she said. “To raise a child in our community.”

The program helps cover the costs of pens, paper, binders and other supplies needed for students.

How families will receive the funds depends on the school their children attend, said Aiello.

“Some schools will have a school supply list [that says] go buy these things for Grade four whereas others say we’re going to buy bulk and charge each family a school supply fee,” she said.

Students in schools that hand out supply lists will receive a gift card for Staples to cover the cost to buy supplies. The centre will pay an equal portion of the fee to schools that charge a supply fee.

In the past, students have received a $50 gift card, but they are hoping to increase this to $60 this year.

Aiello said the program also reflects the requirements of students in different grades.

She said the program can also take pressure off families to be able to afford other things like backpacks and shoes, as well as helping children from less fortunate families not to stand out in schools.

Registration for the program closes on Aug. 12.

In order to participate in the program, net family income must be below levels set out by the centre. For a single parent with one child, they must earn less than $24,397 to qualify. A two-parent family with one child must earn less than $29,285 to qualify. Income thresholds rise with the number of children.

Okotoks resident Somaia Khalek said the program makes a big difference to help to get her kids ready for school.

“It’s a huge help,” she said.

She has used the program for the last two years and has received gift cards each time, something she found convenient.

“If there’s any money left you can go back and get something else later,” said Khalek.

While the program doesn’t provide a lot of money and Khalek still ends up having to pay for some supplies, but she said it’s better than nothing.

Aiello expects the number of families using the program to remain up this year.

So far, the centre currently has 61 families registered for the program.

She said the centre used to open registration in August, but it started accepting students earlier this year. As well, she said most families don’t start thinking about getting ready for school until August.

In 2007, the program had 82 families registered and this number rose in the next two years, jumping to 108 in 2008 and 181 in 2009. The number dropped slightly to 129 last year.

Okotoks Staples has been one of the program’s largest supporters in recent years.

The store’s general manager Mark Williams said it’s something that also hits close to home for many of his employees.

“A lot of our associates are of similar age to some of the potential recipients,” he said. “We employ kids who are in school too… and the way I put it to them is just picture yourself being one of those students whose parents are not able to supply all the school supplies.”

Williams said the community has generously supported the program at the store.

“It’s traditionally very well supported by Okotoks and the neighbouring communities,” he said.

Donations are accepted at the Okotoks Staples and the resource centre in the Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre. For more information about the program and to register, call the resource centre at 403-995-2626.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks