We start planning now so that, with our community’s help, hundreds of children living below the poverty line in Niagara Falls will be prepared with all the supplies they need. Heading back to school in September with backpacks, sneakers, required school supplies and nutritious snacks will help children feel accepted by their peers and be prepared to learn.
Research shows that when children are equipped with the proper school supplies it can improve grades, creativity, attitudes towards learning, behavior, peer relationships and self-image.
Project SHARE has been helping families who live below the poverty line in Niagara Falls for nearly 30 years. In the past, the back to school program has supported approximately 300 kids each year but we often had children remaining on a waitlist for help. With more than 1,400 eligible children and 600 new families accessing our services for the first time this past year, it is anticipated that the need will be even greater than ever.
“We are seeing more new families access our emergency support services for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic and anticipate the need for assistance will be even greater this year. Many of our neighbours are still out of work and struggling to meet their basic needs. Project SHARE’s tagline is Our Community At Work and it’s truly a community effort to provide new backpacks, school snacks, school supplies, books and running shoes to children in Niagara Falls who need a little extra help. We are grateful for the support of our partners including Canadian Tire Bank, and the many donors who will help us ensure children in our community start the school year off with the supplies they need to fuel their learning,” said Pam Sharp, Executive Director.
Distribution will begin on August 18 for children registered in the program. In order to help as many children in need as possible, Project SHARE works with community partners like Canadian Tire Bank’s Snacks n’ Sneakers program, partner agencies, churches, businesses and individuals who make donations or host events to collect backpacks, healthy snacks and supplies.
By working together, we can strive to end the cycle of poverty and prepare children for brighter futures. Donations will help to ensure that the children we serve have the supplies they need to reach their full academic and social potential.
Due to the pandemic, we do not have a supply of late donations left over from previous years to kick off this year’s program. Over the next two months, we need the community more than ever!
Here is how you can help meet the need.
- Consider donating in honour of your teachers this year and send them an ecard to let them know of the donation and impact you are making together on a child’s lifelong learning. Donations can be made here.
- Watch your mailbox for our direct mail appeal.
- Visit www.projectshare.ca or call (905) 357-5121 to donate.
- Check out our Community Fundraising Events Guide for great ideas and tips to host an event to benefit Project SHARE’s back to school program.
- Watch for Project SHARE barrels at grocery stores, workplace and community events. You can also drop off items at our location at 4129 Stanley Avenue by driving around the back of our building and using our safe and contactless drop-off bin.
- Consider asking friends and family to donate to the back to school program in honour of your birthday or anniversary.
Most needed in-kind donations include new backpacks and gift cards towards sneakers. Other items include lunch bags, reusable water bottles, headphones, nut-free school snacks, calculators, pencil crayons.
Visit our website or call us at (905) 357-5121 for more information, to make donations or view our events guide.
Your $25 donation provides a backpack or the healthy snacks and supplies a child needs.
Your $50 donation provides a backpack, healthy snacks and supplies for a child.
Your $100 donation provides a backpack, healthy snacks, school supplies and sneakers for a child.
About Project SHARE
Project SHARE provides essential support services that improve the lives of Niagara Falls individuals and families in need. As a non-profit charitable organization, Project SHARE has been providing emergency food and support services to residents of Niagara Falls for more than 30 years. Our emergency food services provide food to individuals in Niagara Falls who are living below the poverty line. To end the struggle against poverty and empower those in need, Project SHARE offers 16 additional programs and services including homelessness prevention and utility support, healthy living and community gardens, training and education and seasonal support that helps families at Christmas and back-to-school. The acronym SHARE represents support, housing, awareness, resources and emergency.
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