Family resource centre helps 145 students get ready for school

The past couple of weeks have been extra busy at the Steinbach Family Resource Centre as families look to get their children ready for the new school year. 

Executive Director Jo-Anne Dalton says they collect school supplies throughout the year, knowing this is an important area where they can support families with the cost of school items. 

“We’ve had, so far, 145 students that have requested supplies that we were able to fill,” she says. “That's within our region, so Hanover School Division, Seine River and then some of the French division schools that are in our region as well. But we anticipate a lot more these last few days before school and even in the first weeks of school. A lot of families, especially ones who aren't aware of what the resources are in our region, will get to school without supplies, and then the schools will send them our way as well.” 

A year ago, the centre supported 250 students with school supplies and Dalton anticipates being close to that number again this year. 

She notes a lot of these supplies are donated by private citizens and various businesses. 

“It’s fantastic when we see that kind of support from our community,” Dalton says. “We have good relationships with a lot of businesses and a lot of individual donors who call us every year and say, ‘OK, what do you need, how many applications do you have, what are your most needed supply items?’ And so, to be able to provide that information, the community really comes together for it.” 

The Steinbach Family Resource Centre is still accepting donations for school supplies including geometry sets, 2-inch binders, markers, backpacks, pencil crayons and glue sticks. 

For families looking for more information on applications or have questions, Dalton says it's very easy to reach out. "Email us or go to the website then use the contact form, Steinbach Family Resource Centre – Just another WordPress site (steinbachfrc.ca). We do require proof of income for this program because there is such high demand." 

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