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

By Jordan Davidson

stock the lockers

‘There’s need everywhere:’ campaign provides Nanaimo-Ladysmith students with school supplies

Aug 21, 2025 | 2:37 PM

NANAIMO — As the summer season starts to wind down, parents are getting ready for back-to-school shopping.

However, with the rising cost of living, basic school supplies and related fees getting more expensive, Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation’s (NLSF) well-established annual Stock the Lockers campaign fills critical gaps.

NLSF executive director Crystal Dennison said all monetary or school supply donations go directly back to supporting local students.

“(Things like) backpacks, crayons, and their whole school supply kit. We also sponsor things like running shoes, or jackets…we also will help with the cost of athletic fees, graduation fees, field trip fees, for families that are struggling to cover those added expenses.”

The campaign started on Aug 1 and goes until Sept. 15, with donations accepted through the NLSF website, as well as in person at the former Dufferin Crescent Elementary School (1111 Dufferin Cres.)

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Dennison said roughly 950 students received school supplies through the program last year, in addition to multiple students getting help with various other school fees.

NLSF also accepts donations of personal care items, such as shampoo, conditioner, and feminine hygiene products.

That number doesn’t include the foundation’s Food4Schools program, which feeds over 2,300 local students daily.

“It varies year over year, but there’s always several students from across the district, and it doesn’t seem to matter where in the district, there’s need everywhere,” said Dennison.

She said they’re also working on setting up a community closest where they’ll have those kinds of products and supplies available year-round.

NLSF has been involved in helping students meet their basic school needs for over 20 years, with the foundation created as a means to support all students district-wide.

Dennison said helping students with those financial barriers so they can get through a school day sets them up for success in life, while also taking much-needed pressure off their families.

“The goal is to make sure all students have those basic needs met so they are way more likely to get through the system, to graduate, and then we can support them with scholarships and bursaries to go on and pursue post-secondary training…all should have equal opportunity to have all of those needs met.”

NLSF is hosting a free, family fun event on Sunday, Aug. 24, at Nanaimo North Town Centre from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., with donations accepted on site.

More information is available here on their website or through their Facebook page.

A donation bin is also set up outside the London Drugs at Nanaimo’s North Town Centre until Sept. 15.(NLSF on Facebook)

— With files from Alex Rawnsley.

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