United Way begins fundraising for Oxford’s Supplies4Students

While the new academic year is still a couple of months away, the local United Way is already preparing to support area students who might need help with their school supplies.

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Working with its community partners, the United Way Oxford has set a fundraising target of $75,000 for its annual Supplies4Students program, which would allow the agency to serve 1,500 pupils from junior kindergarten to Grade 12.

“We know that far too many local families are struggling financially to meet their basic needs, and the added expense of back to school can be overwhelming,” Kelly Gilson, United Way Oxford’s executive director, said in a release. “Oxford’s Supples4Students is a programme designed to lend a helping hand to ensure that all children can start their new school years well equipped and ready to learn.”

The program allows registered families to purchase locally what is actually needed for their students by using a supplied card rather than relying on donated products. These Supplies4Students cards are then distributed to students through the schools during the first week of the academic year, allowing families to shop for what they need.

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The need in recent years, however, has soared. In 2022, 1,325 students from 642 local families were supported through the program at a cost of $66,250. Last year, the program also helped more than 1,300 students.

“Our program is based on dignity and choice, as it allows parents to purchase what they actually need rather than relying on what donated products are available. Every year, the program helps families from every school across Oxford,” Gilson said.

Financially vulnerable Oxford County families with children registered in the Thames Valley District school board, London District Catholic school board or the Providence Catholic School Board are able to register for the program by visiting the United Way website at www.unitedwayoxford.ca or by calling 211 for assistance. Families in need can self-identify and register for the program using their local school registration information.

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Program registration is open this summer until Aug. 16.

“Donors across our community have embraced this program as they can directly impact the lives of children and youth in a tangible way. They understand that this model allows for dignity, independence, engagement and choice in a way that traditional programs do not. With that understanding, they have switched from collecting and gathering ‘things’ to distribution because they realize that this model is more efficient — there is no lugging, slugging, sorting, storing, packing, moving, etc. It is more cost effective, more environmentally friendly and provides more direct assistance,” Gilson said.

For county residents, businesses, churches, service clubs and other groups who want to support the Supplies4Students program, donations can be made directly to the United Way or online at www.unitedway.ca. All of the money donated for the program is used to fund the program cards.

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