NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2009HSD0029-000291 September 4, 2009

Ministry of Housing and Social Development

 

OVER 600 BACKPACKS HELP LOW INCOME STUDENTS IN B.C.

 

VICTORIA – The Province is donating approximately 600 backpacks filled with school supplies to children from low-income families in over 20 communities across British Columbia, Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development announced today.

 

“The start of a new school year is an exciting time for young students and shouldn’t add undue pressure on low-income families,” says Coleman. “This government is happy to respond to The Salvation Army’s recent media campaign seeking donations to help kids start off the school year right.”

Each backpack contains essential classroom supplies such as pencils, pens and paper, as well as a calculator, binder, day planner, dictionary and geometry set.

 

To ensure that children from across the province benefit from these school starter kits, the backpacks are being donated to The Salvation Army, which is present in almost every community. The Salvation Army will distribute these backpacks to children prior to the start of the upcoming school term.

 

“With the economic difficulties being experienced lately, families with lower incomes are definitely feeling the effect in supplying basic needs, let alone any frills,” said Major Bill Mason of The Salvation Army Community and Family Services in Victoria. “To receive the backpack with essential school supplies will aid tremendously in the initial weeks of school for these families.”

 

The kits were originally distributed through the BC Employment Program. The Government is donating the backpacks to ensure British Columbians throughout the province get the full use of these supplies.

 

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Contact:

Seumas Gordon Media Relations Officer Ministry of Housing and Social Development 250 387-6490

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