Families who did not have a chance to register for the Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries' back-to-school supply program before school ended for the summer break, will have another opportunity.
Corina Ardelean, community and family services advocate with the local organization, will be accepting registrations directly.
Every year, in partnership with School District 42, the charitable organization distributes school supplies to more than 400 students each September. Children who are registered for the program come from a variety of backgrounds including:
• children of single mothers or single fathers;
• children of working families trying to make ends meet;
• children of seniors with custody of their grandchildren;
• and children of new immigrant families.
"We feel that providing these items for students give them the ability to start the school year off on the right foot to focus on learning and their future success," said the agency online.
Following registration, families can then pick up the supplies at the annual back-to-school fair, this year taking place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, at CLA Church, 11756 232 Street, Maple Ridge.
The fair will include a hot dog lunch being served from noon onwards, complimentary hair cuts, a bouncy castle, mascots, community partner information, a family thrift shop called The Closet, and a mobile adult clothing recycling area called UpCycle.
The hot dog barbecue lunch will also have veggie and halal options available.
To register for the program email Ardelean at: corina-elvira.ardelean@salvationarmy.ca.
