Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation launches cheer crate campaign

The Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation (SPSF) is launching cheer crates to help students and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Once in May and June, the crates — containing food, activities, learning supplies, cleaning and protective supplies — will be delivered to more than 500 families.

“COVID-19 has impacted those most vulnerable in our community. Our schools are closed and these students and their families who rely on additional supports are in great need,” SPSF executive director Zeba Ahmad said in a media release.

Community school co-ordinators helped establish who will receive crates.

“They have personally called families to see if they need something,” Ahmad told 650 CKOM.

She said teachers have also come forward with families they believe could benefit from the boxes.

Each box will contain learning material specific to a student’s age group, but Ahmad says it’s not just for the student.

“We know there’s lots of families that have lots of kids of different ages so hopefully there will be something for everyone,” she explained.

The first crates, valued at around $100, will be delivered in mid-May and contain outdoor activities like sidewalk chalk, skipping ropes and frisbees.

Corporations and businesses have donated materials, money and time to help make the crates possible.

“We’ve been so pleased already. Within just the short amount of time that we have either shared it with teachers or our donors or corporations that we’ve gone to, they’ve all said, ‘Wow, this is great. This is something so positive,’ ” Ahmad said.

The SPSF continues to look for donors and volunteers to help with the cheer crates.