Karly Menzies and Dave Lawrence of Fresh Start as they prepare to pack more than 200 backpacks full of school supplies. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

back to school

Fresh Start event donating back-to-school supplies expands during COVID-19 pandemic

Aug 29, 2020 | 7:15 AM

NANAIMO — The annual Fresh Start event helping Nanaimo-Ladysmith students have a great first day of school has changed to fit the times.

Creator Dave Lawrence and fellow organizers are packing backpacks full of school supplies and delivering them right to families on Saturday, Aug. 29. In previous years, families have lined up for hours outside Lawrence’s business That 50’s Barbershop for a haircut and to pick up supplies donated by the community.

Lawrence told NanaimoNewsNOW the number of families in need has doubled to more than 200 due to COVID-19.

“To see such a huge jump is overwhelming,” he said. “It’s more stuff we have to collect and hand out, but it’s great there’s organizations like this which can help people.”

With more families struggling to provide school supplies, Lawrence knew they’d have to step up the event. This year it included online auctions, fundraising by him getting a Fresh Start tattoo on his leg and more corporate donations.

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“It’s grown well beyond just a That 50’s Barbershop thing. It’s a whole community thing.”

The number of teens who requested a backpack rose, from a small handful in previous years to 60.

“I think there’s so many families having issues, with people being out of work because of COVID, you’re going to see more people needing help.”

Lawrence’s family and volunteers spent their Friday evening assembling the backpacks for delivery on Saturday.

Deliveries begin around 10 a.m.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt