Students receive free supplies ahead of new school year

Students have been given free school supplies as the new year approaches.

Ahead of a return to the classroom, Windsor students had a chance to pick up much-needed supplies at the first annual YQG Kids Club back to school event.

Hosted by non-profit YQG Kids, students from underprivileged neighbourhoods received free backpacks, supplies, shoes, hygiene products, and a haircut.

Before the event began on Saturday afternoon, Marla Coffin, a volunteer, noted about 133 students had pre-registered to attend.

“By starting our kids off on the right foot as they go back to school this September, it’s really going to propel them into positivity,” Coffin said.

The volunteer-led event is run using donations from local organizations and community members.

For parents, preparing kids for school in a few short weeks can become a costly task that adds up after collecting all the necessary supplies.

“People are really surprised that their kids are getting back to school running shoes, haircuts, things that they otherwise might not get or that they’d have to really stretch to figure out,” Coffin said.

YQG Kids prepared enough supplies to help about 170 students. In the event some items went unclaimed, Coffin said they would donate them to a Windsor-Essex charity to ensure they help a family in need.

The non-profit plans to make the back-to-school event an annual opportunity to give back to the community.