Skip to content

Program for all families

More than $2,000 raised for Blessings in a Backpack

Editor, The Record:

Re: Blessings in a Backpack fundraiser June 2 at pub, May 31 edition.

We would like to thank you for your recent coverage of our Blessings in a Backpack program in Deroche. We were able to raise more than $2,000 at our burger and beverage night.

However, we are concerned that readers may have inferred that all families who received backpacks were having difficulty caring for their families. This is not necessarily the case. We do not discriminate, or question why a family might choose to have a backpack. Just as we do not have any criteria for children who choose to eat breakfast at our breakfast club — some kids just like to eat breakfast with their friends. All are welcome!

We wanted to clarify and expand the vision that we feel is Blessings in a Backpack. Our vision for this program was to give families a “lift” at the beginning of the weekend. Families may access this program for several reasons: medical, transportation, economic. Some children like to give their parents a break, and children feel proud they can contribute a “pick- me-up” gift to a family. On occasion, a child does not want to feel left out because their neighbours get a backpack. Feeling special, a sense of belonging, encouragement, care and compassion, and yes, helping address physical needs of some families are all part of the program. And all these things will improve learning and connection to schools and education. Many of these families give back to our school in multiple ways — volunteering, reading with children, and helping with fundraising activities for which we are grateful.

Again, I would like to thank all of the sponsors for the program and the newspaper for their support.

Deroche Elementary

PAC and staff