Local charity helping families send kids back to school

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – For many families, it’s an expensive struggle to send their kids back to school with new supplies.

That’s why a local charity has stepped up with some free gear.

From the Lower Mainland to Northern BC, more than 5,000 backpacks full of erasers, binders, markers, and paper will be given to children in need.

Major Russ Holland with the Salvation Army says new supplies gives kids a huge boost of confidence. “With that, there’s a lot of dignity. They go in and they don’t feel dejected; they don’t feel like they’re less than somebody else.”

“I think the fact that we can send these little heroes out to school… Who knows what the courage that they may attain from going in there with their heads up high [can bring]. They become our future leaders in our community. To be part of that, I think, is awesome.”

Dai, a father of two, volunteers at the Salvation Army every year. “If they were to go to school without the necessary tools, they’re just not being set up for success.”

“When I learned about this a number of years ago — that the Salvation Army was working with other companies to literally collect donations for kids that don’t have those tools — I jumped all over it,” he adds.

Jay has been volunteering for a few years and says it’s rewarding to give back.

“[There are] not a lot of opportunities, sometimes. You’re working all kinds of hours and have kids of your own… the demands of that kind of life… having that opportunity to be able to come out and impact a lot of other kids is always a really good idea.”

Parents with a combined income of less than $30,000 qualify for a free backpack with $75 worth of supplies.

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