Families that couldn’t otherwise afford needed school supplies are getting a little help from Megan Hartling.
For the fifth year, Hartling is heading the fundraising drive to help those families.
“It all came from an idea I had when I thought school supplies weren’t cheap and a teacher I had known had said a lot of kids showed up without school supplies on the first day,” she said. “I put it out on Facebook and family and friends responded. It has completely grown from there.”
This year, supplies will be going to West Pictou Consolidated School and Northumberland Regional High School.
“We do one high school and one elementary every year,” Hartling said. “We try to hit every elementary school before we start repeating. Last year it was AG Baillie Elementary School and when we dropped it all off they were overwhelmed with the support.”
Donations will be accepted until Sept. 5 after which Hartling will organize supplies, so they can be presented to the schools on the first day of classes, Sept. 6. Monetary donations are also accepted, which Hartling uses to purchase higher-priced items such as calculators for the high schools.
Gently used backpacks, binders and other items are accepted, as well.
In the past, Hartling has been fortunate to receive donations from the Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs as well as a friend who hosted Tupperware Bingo with donations going to the back-to-school fundraiser.
“I lose my kitchen for the month of August,” she said. “I take photos every night and lay the items on my bed. I started with a little pile in the kitchen, but last year it took up the whole queen-size bed.”
This year, Hartling has contacted Roots for Youth in New Glasgow to see if anyone using its services needs supplies for either high school or NSCC.
Donations can be dropped off at Kustom Kaos Ink on Main Street, Westville; Pharmacy First on Foord Street, Stellarton; Cakes and Things, Provost Street, New Glasgow; or Boston Pizza in the Highland Square Mall.
More information can be found on Facebook at pcschoolsuppliesdrive or by contacting Hartling at [email protected]
