THUNDER BAY — The United Way of Thunder Bay’s GenNext tallied up school supply totals for their Stuff-A-Bus campaign at the Dennis Franklin Cromarty (DFC) High School on Saturday.
Throughout August, the charity’s group of young professionals collected school essentials to help students in need prepare for the upcoming school year, including backpacks, notebooks, pencils and more.
“We want these students to feel like they are welcomed within our community and really to pass along the sentiment that we want them to succeed and have every success that’s offered to them coming here to Dennis Franklin Cromarty,” said Noah Siren, the chair of the local GenNext.
Education is underfunded, Siren said, so they try to do their best to help in areas of disparity.
“Sometimes that is access to school supplies, especially with (the) funding that different schools get. So, we wanted to start donations for DFC, so (that) students can get pens, pencils, different binders, as well as personal goods,” Siren said.
“Especially coming from further away, it’s always nice to have a little bit of some personal belongings kit with you.”
Among some of the personal items collected for the campaign were toothpaste, toothbrushes and feminine hygiene products.
“It’s always good to have access to those, especially maybe in a school setting as well. (It’s) always good to have kind of those products on standby, if need be,” Siren said.
The event, he added, came through their cabinet as just a way for them to contribute to the youth of Thunder Bay.
“What better way to contribute to the youth of Thunder Bay than to contribute to the new youth of Thunder Bay who are coming from communities all around the North (and) all around remotely here to Thunder Bay and experiencing our community for the first time,” Siren said.
Siren encouraged those interested in donating not to do so at the DFC, as they may not be there depending on their hours.
Instead, donations to the school will still be taken after 2 p.m. at the United Way’s office during its office hours.
“You can donate any single time. Any single point of the year and all those products, school products (and) personal products, those will go to DFC throughout the entire year,” Siren said.
Siren said they are planning to run the “wonderful event” again next summer.
