While students dread hitting the books at the start of a new school year, their parents are more concerned about the hit on their finances. Going back to school is a time filled with excitement and expenses, but My City Care is helping to ease this burden for families in need. My City Care, a branch of My Victory Church, offers several programs throughout the year to help families in need, for example, the Cinderella Project supplies graduates with items for their graduation if they cannot afford it and Shop of Wonders supplies Christmas presents for children whose parents cannot pay for them. In 2017 they launched Stuff the Bus. “We recognize how expensive it is to get all of your kids ready for school with the school lists that the schools supply, so we just try to help them out a little bit and give them backpacks with everything they need for their kids to return to school,” said Meghan Harvey, who runs My City Care in Okotoks. Harvey said the community is especially in need of this support due to job losses and a weakened economy. “It sort of gets overlooked that these families need help with something that seems like it should be really easy,” she said. “But it really adds up — some of these families are choosing between food on the table or new runners for their kids. “It’s important for parents to see their kids go to school in the best and not see their kids wanting for anything. It’s about providing dignity.” In order for Stuff the Bus to achieve this goal, it has tried to remove any shame that could be associated with signing up. Harvey said getting families comfortable enough to come to ask for help has been the hardest part. “We’re not judging them, and we’re not asking for any financial statements or anything. If you need help, just come and we’ll try to help you the best you can,” Harvey said. The Stuff the Bus fundraising team was at the Okotoks Night Festival on Aug. 2 and the Okotoks Farmers Market on Aug. 17 to answer questions or sign up. School councillors or family friends are also able to anonymously refer families to the service. Signing up for backpacks can also be done online at myvictory.ca. All that is required is a name, email, pickup location, and the full names and grades of each child in need. This information helps with backpack customization. “Whatever people donate school supply wise we are going to supplement the backpacks as needed,” said Harvey. “We know that there are different needs for different grades, so we’re going to try and get the lists from schools for every student.” This year, a school bus has not been arranged to take part in the fundraiser like it was last year, but Harvey has already fundraised enough to cover about 20 backpacks. Harvey said they filled 35 backpacks last year and is hoping to fill 50 this year. “It’s great to have that support from people so early on in the campaign,” said Harvey. People can support the campaign in several ways. They can pay $10 to sponsor a student, or drop off purchased school supplies, non-perishable food items, or hygiene items at a collection point. They can also help by spreading the word and sharing information online. Collection points will be at 9Round Kickboxing, the Alberta Dance Academy on weekdays and the Centennial Centre every Sunday. The backpacks will be prepared on Aug. 25 and distributed to families on Aug. 26 and Sept. 2. For more information go to myvictory.ca or the Stuff The Bus Facebook page.
