The annual Fresh Start event is expanding once again as demand for school supplies surges. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

Fresh Start

Valuable Fresh Start program expands to provide more kids with school supplies

Aug 6, 2021 | 4:16 PM

NANAIMO — It’s hoped 2021 will be the biggest yet for an annual fundraiser providing supplies and a snazzy, new hair cut to students before their first day of school.

The Fresh Start event, normally held at That 50’s Barbershop in downtown Nanaimo, will move to the Harbourfront Library this year on Saturday, Aug. 28.

Organizer Dave Lawrence said he hopes the bigger space will allow for even more students and families, especially since last year was their biggest turnout, despite the pandemic.

“Last year it was crazy with COVID-19, we did an online signup and kids could sign up to have things delivered to their door. Normally we get 100-120 but had 230 last year. That was good.”

This year he’s teamed up with Heavy D’s barbershop, located in Departure Bay, and another hair stylist to ensure kids get the freshest, slickest haircut for their first day of school.

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Supplies handed out include backpacks, binders, crayons and pencils and anything a student would need but the parents might not be able to afford.

“The need is there, it’s never going to go away. There will always be more and more people finding out about this. The level of poverty just seems to be rising. Families will always need this.”

The donation drive for Fresh Start officially kicks off on Sunday, Aug. 8. at Desire Tattoo, where Lawrence will get a new tattoo about the event.

He said the tattoo design is up to the artist.

“I myself have slowly hated getting tattoos the older I get, it seems they get more painful. So this is truly something to try to give back to the community and hopefully people come out for it.”

Donations can be dropped off at the kick-off event or That 50’s Barbershop.

All donations are welcomed but backpacks are needed the most.

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spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt