Giving back with the basics

Hundreds of kids will fill their bags with new folders, books, pencils, felt pens and crayons thanks to a Back to School project.

The project, run by Centacare, offers more than 700 free stationery starter packs to low-income families.

Sister Mary Ryan said the program aimed to ease the burden for families at the beginning of the school year.

“We started this program 19 years ago, and in our first year we delivered 97 packs. This year we are able to give more than 700 packs to families who needed them most,” she said.

“The beginning of the school year can be one of the most expensive times for a family, especially if they are living on a low income.

“Parents with health cards or the Centacare benefit card are eligible to receive the stationery packs.

“We try to give them the basics to start their year with.”

Sister Ryan said the project had helped many families in Geraldton and the Mid West and it was annual funding from The Good Guys Geraldton which made it possible.

“We hope these packs can save families somewhere between $80 and $100,” she said.

“This is something small, and it doesn’t provide kids with everything they need, but it is a start and a big help for families who are doing it tough.

“We believe this project is really important.

“This way, children can go to school and be proud they have new stationery for the new year — which is actually a privilege many children do not get.”

The Good Guys donate 20 cents from every purchase towards a charity of choice.

General manager Trevor Robins said he was proud to see the money being used to empower the local community.

“We are delighted to be involved with Centacare, it is certainly our charity of choice and we know the money we donate to them is being used to better our community,” he said.

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