Stephen's Backpack Society is partnering with Rocky View Schools and some local restaurants to make sure students have the supplies they need when they go back to school.

Nancy McPhee, Executive Director of Stephen's Backpack Society, said that Original Joe's and State & Main approached them about partnering to fill backpacks with school supplies. While the organization has filled individual requests for school supplies in the past, this is the first time they've done a campaign like this. The only similar initiative they've done was collecting school supplies for students affected by the Fort McMurray fires in 2016.

"This is the first real push where everything that's collected here in Airdrie is going to be going to Rocky View School Division."

McPhee said that the backpacks they fill this summer will differ from those they pack during the winter. Those backpacks are viewed as a Christmas present, and have a mix of practical and fun items.

"Of course, there's some luxury items as well because it's Christmas time but these particular backpacks that we're doing are all school supplies. It's according to the Rocky View School Division list."

The campaign started yesterday (July 24) and will run until August 25. Donations can be dropped off at the partner restaurants. The organization is looking for a variety of supplies, including backpacks, binders, highlighters, crayons, pens, pencils, paper, calculators, rulers, geometry sets, glue and scissors.

McPhee is excited about the new campaign, and thinks that everyone benefits when local businesses and organizations work together.

"When we unite with corporations and when we unite as charities to help each other out, I mean, the people who are vulnerable are the people who receive all these items and everybody wins because we are working together."

 

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