The new school year is about to kickoff and the Prince George Native Friendship Centre is helping the public with the costs of school supplies.
The 4th Annual Back To School event has a number of sponsors pitch in and donate backpacks, binders, and other essentials for each registered student.
“Many of the families that come are either in poverty and vulnerable or single parent families,” says Barbara Ward-Burkitt, Executive Director for the PGNFC. “We’ve got registrations for families who have eight children. Some families are taking care of grandchildren, nieces or nephews, in addition to their own family.”
Hundreds of residents are lining up for the 4th Annual Back To School event @PGNFC. Registered students are receiving free school supplies for the new year. Executive Director Barbara Ward-Burkitt says this assists those who suffer from poverty in the city | @mypgnow #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/kQe6mZsubO
— Jeff Slack (@Jeffslack369) August 14, 2018
The centre is also doing what it can for evacuees who have been displaced from their homes.
“We’ve invited them because we are part of providing support for the evacuees,” added Ward-Burkitt. “Starting tomorrow we’ll be providing the meals through our restaurant. We have invited them and told them to come out, just to extend our hand of friendship to anybody who has that need.”
Last year the centre handed out 970 backpacks, and they expect to give out that same amount or even more this year.
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