BONNYVILLE – Back-to-school season can add up financially for some families, and Bonnyville and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is hosting a clothing drive to make it less stressful.
On Sept. 2, FCSS is hosting its annual back-to-school clothing drive at St. Louis Parish Hall. Community members can drop off lightly used, clean clothes for children, youth and teens, along with backpacks and supplies, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Then, on Sept. 3, families can come back to the hall between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to pick out what they need, free of charge. Bags will be provided.
“We’ve noticed that there’s an increased need in the community for basic needs such as clothing, especially for kids,” said Aleesha Cabay, community programmer with FCSS.
“Back-to-school can be a very expensive time of year for families,” she added. “Offering a free option to help reduce any costs felt like a great way to support the community.”
Cabay said that after donations come in, staff and volunteers sort them by size, so families don’t have to dig through the piles of clothes.
Members of the community interested in volunteering for the clothing drive can call 780-826-2120, and lend a helping hand.
At the same time, the Lakeland Family Resource Network (LFRN), which works closely with the Bonnyville FCSS, is running the “Give School Supplies a Second Life” school supply drive.
If community members have gently used, or clean, extra supplies at home they would like to donate, items can be dropped off at the FCSS office at 4715-48 street, until Sept. 15.
