Eight dollars doesn’t sound like much in today’s economy, but for nine-year-old Izack Manluyang, it’s his life savings – and he’s ready to give it all up to help others.
The Saanich schoolboy has been saving small amounts of money by collecting refundable recyclables with his mom Bernie Manluyang. The plan was to put the money towards a ticket to the Philippines, to visit relatives the nine-year-old has yet to meet in person.
But when he learned there are over 50 children on the waiting list for Mustard Seed’s Fair Start for Kids back-to-school program, he had another idea.
“He told me, ‘We have to help these kids,’” said mom Manluyang, who also has not been back to the Philippines to see her family since 2013. “I was so touched, I can see his compassion already.”
Mustard Seed’s Fair Start for Kids program offers a helping hand to families in the Capital Regional District struggling with the cost of back-to-school supplies.
Made possible thanks to donations and fundraising, 600 kids will receive a pack, bursting with all the essentials needed for academic life, including a backpack, a new pair of running shoes, snacks and grade-appropriate stationary supplies.
This year, the program reached capacity faster than ever, with all 600 spots filled within two weeks of registration opening in May. The previous year it took over a month for registration to fill up.
“It was a remarkable surge,” said Treska Watson, the Mustard Seed’s executive director.
But the surge in demand for the Fair Start program is part of a broader trend, explains Watson – Mustard Seed’s other programs, including its food bank, are also under mounting pressure.
“I think families in particular are feeling the financial squeeze,” she said. “We hear from them all the time about how challenging these times are – the cost of groceries, the cost of living here in Victoria.
“People are finding it more and more difficult to make ends meet. And back to school can be a really expensive time, especially if there's more than one child in the home.”
Children up to the age of 18 also make up roughly a quarter of the food bank’s clients – a sign that food insecurity is hitting young people hardest, says Watson.
“More kids than ever are hungry,” she adds.
Manluyang and her son Izack know firsthand how important Mustard Seed’s programs can be during times of need.
Shortly after moving to Greater Victoria in 2019, Manluyang faced medical challenges, limiting her ability to work.
As a single parent without any family nearby, she turned to Mustard Seed during the pandemic for food hampers, and later joined the Fair Start for Kids program.
“I am beyond grateful,” said Manluyang. “It’s not just about the impact on our budget … it’s the relief and the support. When your financial situation is not OK, everything else feels emotionally heavier.
“This lightens the burden.”
Originally from the Philippines, Manluyang says there can be a stigma around asking for help in her culture. But she hopes sharing her story will encourage others – from all backgrounds – to seek support when they need it.
“If you need help, ask for it,” she said. “There’s nothing to be ashamed about. I’ve worked hard my whole life, but sometimes you find yourself in a situation you never expected.”
Watson echoes that message, explaining Mustard Seed now serves people from all walks of life.
“It could be your neighbour, your friend, your colleague, even your kid’s teacher – there’s no typical client anymore,” she said.
Mustard Seed is marking 50 years in the community this year, and Watson says the vision for the organization remains the same: keep meeting needs while fostering hope, faith and love.
“We just want to make sure that people feel hopeful, that kids feel hopeful about their school year, and that others coming through our doors for whatever reason feel hopeful about about the time ahead,” she says.
At the Fair Start event, that hope is visible in every smile and every child proudly wearing their new pair of kicks. And thanks to Izack’s $8 donation – and the generosity of others – more children will get the fresh start they deserve.
For more information about the support offered by Mustard Seed, visit: mustardseed.ca.
