Taking place Sunday, Sept. 1, the school supply drive will be accepting any unused school supplies such as duotangs, binders, pencils, markers, pens, erasers, glue sticks and more.
The idea for the drive was born out of an experience food bank secretary Neeraj Walia had with his son, who had a classmate in need of supplies. Initially planning to help provide school supplies for the classmate, Walia soon realized that there were many students in need of similar support.
The first school supply drive was held in 2022 and last year was expanded to also benefit students in Delta. In Surrey, enough supplies were collected last year to fill 50 backpacks.
"We are continually grateful to community partners like Guru Nanak Food Bank who work so tirelessly to not only feed families throughout the year, but also take the time to organize a school supply drive each year that reaches a lot of families across the district," said Jordan Delville-Pratt, manager of business development for the district's advancement office.
"The back-to-school period should be an exciting time for students, and by alleviating some of the financial stress around supplies, families are able to prepare for the school year and look forward to it."
The Guru Nanak Food Bank school supply drive takes place Sept. 1 at the Guru Nanak Food Bank (15299 68 Ave.) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monetary donations will also be accepted.
