A Chatham-Kent organization is once again working to make sure local students have the tools they need to head back to school with confidence.
FreeHelp CK is collecting donations of backpacks and school supplies for Operation Backpack, which is now in its seventh year.
"Last year, we were able to supply 3,200 backpacks, and this year we're hoping to do at least 3,600 backpacks to help local children within all of Chatham-Kent," said Amy Smith, Marketing Specialist and Board Member for FreeHelp CK.
Smith said they are in need of all kinds of school supplies.
"We're definitely in need of rulers and erasers, pencil cases, pencils, and pens. All of that kind of stuff that you yourself would send your child to school with, we need to send others to school with as well," said Smith.
A number of drop-off events are scheduled over the next few weeks.
Battery Boy
Saturday, August 8
10 AM – 12 PM
WAMBO
Saturday, August 8
8 AM – 4 PM
Real Canadian Superstore, Chatham
Friday, August 14
10 AM – 2 PM
CK Tubs & Taps
Saturday, August 15 10 AM – 2 PM
Taylor's Fish & Chips - Wheatley
Saturday, August 22
10 AM – 2 PM
Ricco's Cash & Carry – Grand Opening
Saturday, August 22
10 AM – 2 PM
Donations can also be dropped off several local businesses, including Apple Self Storage, CSN Chatham, Staples, Encore Shop, Schaeffler Motion Technologies, Great Lakes Gymnastics Center, Peak Athletic Training, and Teppermans in Chatham. CSN Tilbury and Ledgers Canada in Tilbury, CSN Holmes in Wallaceburg, and at the Ridgetown Independent News.
Registration to receive a backpack full of school supplies opens on Sunday, August 9 at 6 p.m. A link will be posted on the FreeHelp CK Facebook page because they're trying to roll out registration slowly so it doesn't crash the website.
