The annual Stock the Lockers event is on right now until Sept. 15 through the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation. (Dreamstime)

By Jordan Davidson

school supplies

‘Lot of families that need our help:’ bringing school supplies to Nanaimo-Ladysmith students

Aug 20, 2024 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — While parents are starting to prepare to get their kids back to class this fall, the need to remove financial barriers to ease access to education remains.

The Stock the Lockers campaign, put on by the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation (NLSF), accepts monetary and school supply donations to help students return to class with a full backpack, along with aiding them in other in-school activities.

Crystal Dennison, executive director of the NLSF, said each class has different requirements for their students in need, which is why monetary donations are much preferred.

“We found in the past is by collecting supplies it’s really difficult to match supplies with what’s required, and so cash and donations through cash or credit card are the best way to really support the program because we’re able to really identify specifically what each student requires based on their grade and their school.”

Donations can be made on their website, or in person at Nanaimo’s Country Grocery locations, as well as Coastal Community Credit Union branches in Nanaimo and on Gabriola Island until Sept. 15.

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Dennison told NanaimoNewsNOW they provided over $86,000 worth of supplies and school fees for students in the 2023/2024 school year, the most amount they’ve raised in their history.

That number doesn’t include their Food4Schools program, which feeds around 2,300 local students daily.

“Things like field trip fees, band instrument rentals for individual students, athletic fees, those types of things are done on an as-needed basis directly with the school,” said Dennison. “The need doesn’t stop on Sept 15, it’s just our time to really try and raise awareness and let the community know that they’re are a lot of students, a lot of families that need our help.”

A number of grade 12 students also had their grad fees covered last year through the program, while almost 1,000 students received supplies from the 2023 Stock the Lockers campaign.

Dennison said a lot of those out-of-classroom activities can be cost-prohibitive for some families.

“Unfortunately, we saw the highest amount of need this past year, and at the same time we’re pleased that we’re able to address the need as it arises.”

Stock the Lockers runs until Sept. 15. For more information or to donate, click here to go to the NLSF website.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow