New Backpack Program Launched to Support Children’s Education
The supplies will help families invest their money in other essential needs including food and rent.
L-R: Alitis’ Regional Office Manager, Alicia Reny with Comox Valley Food Bank’s Executive Director, David Reynolds and Deputy Executive Director, Justin LaFortune.
Recognizing the importance of supporting our next generation, Alitis has partnered with Campbell River and Comox Valley food banks on a Backpack Program to provide essential school supplies for children in need.
Alicia Reny, Alitis’ Regional Office Manager, was inspired by her time working at a local food bank years ago, and says the initiative was a perfect fit. “We are always looking for ways to give back to the community – it’s one of our company’s core values.”
The program is designed to alleviate some financial pressure on parents and guardians by ensuring children have the necessary supplies to start the school year on the right foot. “To know a child, on their first day of school, has all the supplies they need to jump-start their educational journey, really resonates with a lot of us.”
First family to receive the backpacks.
Partnership and Distribution
Partnering with local food banks allows for a broader reach and lets the Alitis team reach more families.
“We partner with the food banks to ensure that these backpacks reach the children who need them most across the various schools in the area,” Reny says.
The Backpack Program is not just about providing school supplies; it’s about relieving financial stress on families. “The hope would be that families can take the money saved from school supplies and put it towards other important areas such as rent, new school clothes or food expenses, helping stretch their dollar a little bit further for the things that they really need,” Reny says.
Community members are encouraged to get involved by donating via Canada Helps or by creating their own backpack kits to donate to the food banks. “It’s exciting and it feels important to us to have that full circle of collaboration with ourselves, our clients and the community.”
Looking to the future, the Alitis team would also like to hear from their community on ways they can support their neighbours even more. “If anyone has any ideas for us, we are open to hearing anybody’s proposals, ideas, or suggestions. We want to be as active in the community as we can be.”
