Released on August 21, 2014
Education Minister Don Morgan joined Salvation Army volunteers and several Regina area MLAs at The Salvation Army Haven of Hope Ministries today to help fill backpacks with donated school supplies in support of The Salvation Army’s annual Back to School Campaign.“Back to school is an exciting time for Saskatchewan students, unfortunately not all families can afford to buy the required school supplies for their children,” Morgan said. “Thanks to efforts of the Salvation Army’s Back to School Campaign, more students will come to class ready to learn on their first day of school.”
The Salvation Army estimates 800 students in Regina will be in need of donated school supplies this fall. Last year, The Salvation Army packed 702 backpacks with everything from crayons to memory sticks. This year, in support of this campaign, backpacks and school supplies were gathered by local MLAs and the ministry of education to help students in need.
“We’ve seen an increase in need this year from Kindergarten to Adult Basic Education,” Haven of Hope program Co-ordinator Val Wiks said. “We’re glad the Minister recognises there is need and is getting involved. We’d also like to remind the public that we’ll be accepting supplies up to September 5.”
The Back to School Campaigns are locally run by The Salvation Army in many cities across Canada.
The backpacks will be distributed to families in need prior to the start of the school year.
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For more information, contact:
Kelly Johnston
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: kelly.johnston@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-7506