In Hamilton and Six Nations, 'good neighbours' are sending kids back to school with new backpacks, supplies

With the new school year set to begin next week, several organizations in Hamilton and Six Nations of the Grand Riverare once again helping families in needwith back-to-school supplies.

The Hamilton Steelworkers Area Councilruns itsOperation Backpack program this week.The union's president, Darren Green, said they will be packing and delivering 1,650 backpacks with school supplies to 30 elementary schools and five high schools throughout Hamilton on Thursday.

They are also delivering 500 backpacks to St.Matthew's House for distribution on Friday.

"We know the times are tough for so many people," Green told CBC Hamilton.

"Our individual donations that we've received this year are down, way down, so it kind of points to the need, people just don't have the money to spend," he said.

"[But] you know what, there are people who care.. and we want to be able to make a difference wherever we can. And if this helps a family or families get back to school and have their kids feel good about themselves, then we want to be able to do that."

'Prices are high right now,' parent says

Elizabeth Lister, mother of six-year-old Xavier, who is autistic, saidit's been "tough" for her as a single mom getting ready for the start of school.

"The biggest worry that I have coming into the new year is the cost of food, and the cost of juice boxes and the cost of, you know, trying to supplement a decent meal at lunchtime for your kid," Lister told CBC Hamilton.

"The prices are high right now, that's what I'm the most worried about."

Lister said she's received a backpack and a lunch bag from the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre, noting itwas"very helpful. It's like a $50 cost right there saved between the backpack and a lunch kit, so that does help."

But she said she still has to buy shoes and other stuff.

"As we head into the next couple weeks the haircuts and all that other fun stuff it's costly. I don't really know how I'm gonna do it, but I always juggle and manage [and] I do look for community resources as much as possible."

Green said the Operation Backpack initiative was launched in 2010 when they delivered 92 backpacks. The number has been growing steadily over the years, reaching 1,500 in 2023.

"We've adopted the mantra 'community matters,' and it really does," Green said.

"It's just one way that we can show that we care, we're good neighbours, and hey, it's our city. I mean, we've got to help where we can."

Green said a number of Ticatplayers will be on hand to help distribute the backpacks this week. He said the Hamilton Tiger-Cat Alumni Association has been supportive, providing prizes for a raffle that was held to raise funds for the initiative.

Six Nations campaign 'huge success'

Meanwhile, this past weekend,Six Nations Bingodistributed school supplies to local elementary schools.

Katie Montour, public relations officer at Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation, said it's the first time since 2019 they've been able to run the Stuff the Bus campaign, which encouraged people to donate goods in exchange for a bingo card to play.

"We realize it is difficult for some families to provide basic school supplies for their children, and for some teachers to purchase supplies for their classrooms, so we wanted to help alleviate that stress to allow students to focus on their educational success," Montour said.

"Our Stuff the Bus campaign was a huge success this year. We were able to collect enough donations of school supplies to provide seven duffel bags full of school supplies to each local school."

According to Montour, each school provided a wish list of school supplies and a list of suggested donations was distributed via social media for Bingo patrons.

"Additionally, we had some local organizations and Six Nations Bingo vendors donate supplies, including stationary, paper supplies, backpacks, games, and fidget toys," she said.

There are approximately 1,350 elementary school students enrolled at the schools on the territory and each school was given seven duffelbags of supplies for their students, Montour said.