Families from across Greater Victoria struggling with the rising cost of school supplies were offered a helping hand this month at a special event arranged by the Mustard Seed.
At the organization’s Fair Start event, across two days on Aug. 9 and 10, 600 families, some with three or four children in tow, were given back-to-school packs, bursting with all the essentials needed for academic life.
To support the event, more than 120 volunteers gave their time to help out.
“Without them, we would not have been able to host this amazing event,” said Janice James, manager of community relations and sponsorship for the Mustard Seed. “Volunteers are key, they are golden, quite simply amazing. I cannot stress how Victoria is such a giving community. When we ask for support or help, we get it, no questions asked.”
Among the 120 volunteers at the event, one was 81-year-old Donna, who James describes as an unstoppable volunteer.
“She doesn’t slow down for a minute,” said James. “She’s even thinking of volunteering for Soap for Hope.”
The Fair Start program has been running for over 15 years, supplying kids with all the back-to-school essentials, including a backpack, a new pair of running shoes, a gift certificate for a local grocery store and grade-appropriate school supplies.
This year, Soap for Hope, which provides vulnerable people with access to essential hygiene products, supported the program with 600 hygiene kits to help kids feel confident when they go back to school.
Running shoes purchased at a below-cost price were provided by local retailer Frontrunners, who also donated $1,000 to the program.
There were also appearances at the two-day event by Victoria Royals mascot Marty the Marmot and a variety of superheroes.
“The event was a great success,” said James.
With the Fair Start packs all distributed, attention has now turned to the Mustard Seed’s food bank, which the organization describes as the most accessible food bank in Greater Victoria.
Situated in Victoria’s downtown core, the food bank aims to ensure that anyone in need of food can access groceries without feeling shame, guilt or fear. The Mustard Seed also serves lunches, coffee and snacks from its downtown base.
“It’s not unheard of for us to serve a couple hundred lunches a day,” said James.
To support their efforts, local retailer Max Furniture is partnering with Fairway Market and St. John of Jerusalem to donate $5,000 worth of non-perishable food items.
Max Furniture is also accepting canned food and cash donations from the public up until Sunday, Aug. 18, at their store at 3460 Quadra St.
