One hundred children across Durham Region could receive new backpacks and school supplies this fall as part of a new initiative announced by Durham Outlook for the Needy during a recent Rotary Club of Oshawa meeting.
The initiative was announced by Deborah Mammah, Fund Development Coordinator at Durham Outlook, during a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Oshawa. It is the first time the organization has undertaken a back-to-school backpack program and is part of its Play It Forward campaign.
The initiative aims to provide 50 new backpacks for children in Kindergarten through Grade 3 and another 50 to students in Grades 4 through 6. Each backpack will contain more than 17 school supplies, as well as a handwritten note of encouragement from a volunteer.
The backpacks will be distributed through partner schools across Durham Region,The schools will help identify students needing support and ensure the backpacks reach eligible families before the start of the school year.
Durham Outlook is working with Gibraltar Leadership Academy on the initiative, while Walmart on Stevenson Road is assisting with sourcing the school supplies.
The two organizations already have a community connection, with Rotary Club of Oshawa members volunteering in shifts at Durham Outlook’s kitchen and feeding program as part of the club’s community service activities.
The announcement prompted discussion among Rotary members about how residents could participate. Member Karen Pikoulas asked whether people could donate individual school supplies instead of making a financial contribution.
Mammah said Durham Outlook is accepting new school supplies from residents, businesses and community organizations. She explained that donated items could reduce the number of supplies the organization needs to purchase through Walmart.
The program has a target of 100 backpacks this year. Since this is the initiative’s first year, that number will serve as a starting point for Durham Outlook as it considers whether to expand the program in the future.
The backpacks will be assembled during Build-A-Bag Day on Saturday, August 29, from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will prepare the backpacks for distribution through the participating schools.
The meeting also welcomed Assistant District Governor Don Alton, who brought greetings from the Rotary District and participated in the induction of the club's newest member, Olatunde “Tunde” Mogaji presenting him with his Rotary pin.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for Rotary members to learn about the work of Durham Outlook and discuss ways residents and organizations can participate in the new school-year initiative.
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