The Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) gave out 1,000s of items for kids who will be resuming school during the Annual Back to School Supplies Event on Thursday at the PAGC Urban Services Centre in Prince Albert.
The PAGC has been doing this for several years. The goal is to support low income families in Prince Albert.
“I know we are a diverse community and we just want to help out as many families as we can,” PAGC Urban Services director Geoff Despins said. “(We’re) working together in Prince Albert to make sure that kids go to school with all the supplies that they need and making sure they have haircuts atleast on the first day of resumption.”
Families who came out received school bags, feminine products, books, writing materials, drinks and burgers, and haircuts, all of it provided free.
“This is probably one of the largest expenses we made through out the year to make sure that we help the individuals, help the families, help the kids to make sure they are ready to go back to school,” Despins said.
Every year the PAGC supports low income families with Back to shool supplies to encourage education in the community.
“We see about 500 to 1000 families come through to collect the available supplies,” Despins said. “We didn’t open till 11 a. m. and the numbers are increasing. We had people lining up to collect their support since this morning. We will continue to share the supplies till 3 p.m. or until the supplies are exhausted.”
Despins also used the opportunity to thank the chiefs, the volunteers, PAGC staff, and individuals or organizations who supported this event in one way or the other.
While the parents and kids were seen with packs of gifts, the volunteers expressed their joy in being part of this event.
“We are happy to assist and it feels great being here,” said volunteer Abby Du Plessis. “We are distributing soaps, shampoo, lotion, deodorants, brush and feminine products.”
The first day of school in Prince Albert is Tuesday, Sept. 3. The City will provide free transit that day to allow students of all ages to try the bus.
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