About 1,500 backpacks are waiting to be packed thanks to a student sponsorship campaign by the Salvation Army.
The organization’s campaign allows people to sponsor students in need through the upcoming school year by purchasing grade-appropriate school supplies and a brand new backpack.
Judy Regamy, executive director with Salvation Army Saskatoon, told Brent Loucks Monday morning on 650 CKOM that she recently sponsored a kindergarten student herself.
“On our website, you can go to salvationarmysaskatoon.org, click on the big orange box and you can pick out whatever backpack you want to sponsor for whatever age child you want to sponsor,” she explained. “It’s pretty slick.”
After potential sponsors pledge their support and select backpacks for their students, the bags get packed for the students.
“They’re all being packed this week so we’re hoping there will be people who will volunteer … to help pack these backpacks,” Regamy said.
Both volunteering to help pack a bag and sponsoring a backpack yourself are two “great ways to be involved,” according to the executive director.
The backpacks will be packed later this week at 38 Bateman Crescent in Saskatoon.
Anyone interested in v0lunteering with readying backpacks for students can contact VJ, the Salvation Army’s volunteer coordinator, to set up a time.