‘Never had that many’ requests for cheer crates: Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation

Hundreds more Saskatoon public school students received cheer crates ahead of this long weekend than last fall, although the program still can’t keep up with demand.

On April 1, volunteers and troops from the reserve regiments packaged 750 Canpotex Cheer Crates for the students and families of Saskatoon Public Schools.

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The cheer crate program is run by the Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation (SPSF), an independent charity that enhances learning opportunities for the roughly 30,000 students enrolled in the city’s public school system. Within each crate were groceries – like milk, cheese, eggs, butter, and cereal – as well as books, games, socks, and toothbrushes. Each crate is valued at more than $100.

According to the foundation’s CEO, Zeba Ahmad, the SPSF put together 600 cheer crates for elementary school students in October 2025.

Even though the number of crates increased by 150,  there still were not enough to fulfill every request.

According to Ahmad, a lot of thought goes into what’s included in the cheer crates. That means including milk for cereal and butter for bread, so families “can be self-sufficient with the groceries that are in there.” (Marija Robinson/650 CKOM)

“We had a request for 877 (crates). We have never had that many,” Ahmad said. “And honestly, from a logistical perspective, thank goodness we are here at the armoury and we have the support of the troops from the reserve regiments.”

The requests for these crates, according to Ahmad, come in from public school teachers and principals, since they “know their students best.

“They are the ones who identify the students and then also work with ensuring that the family and student gets it to their home,” she said.

With the increase in need identified by Ahmad, but also having to contend with rising costs, Ahmad said SPSF worked to respond to as many requests as possible.

“If it wasn’t for our donors, we couldn’t do what we do,” she said.

High school students to receive crates

While the 600 cheer crates from October were exclusively for those in elementary school, this year 150 high school students were also included. Consequently, the content of the crates differed between the two age groups.

“For high schools, we know a lot of kids come on the bus or, who knows, they might even be living alone. So we have one bag, and in that there will be things like deodorant and soap and socks, some books, things like that,” Ahmad said. “The gift card is also in there.”

By including a gift card, she said it ensures these students have the independence to buy what they need.

In comparison, elementary school students received three bags, which include spring-themed items like a seasonal colouring book.