By Shelley Winger
The Rotary Club of Morinville Sturgeon has launched a new backpack program aimed at helping
local families prepare for the upcoming school year.
Working with Morinville and Sturgeon County Family and Community Support Services
(FCSS), Rotary provided 50 local youth with new backpacks filled with school supplies
appropriate for their grade.
The idea for the program came through Rotary’s ongoing work with FCSS and its Dignity Closet
program. Jennifer Hunting, co-president of the Rotary Club of Morinville Sturgeon, said the club
was looking for an annual project that would support people in Morinville and Sturgeon County.
“FCSS mentioned that there was a need for backpacks for our youth, as a former program was no
longer active,” Hunting said. “We as a club thought this was a fantastic program to offer.”
The partnership allowed Rotary to respond to an identified need in the community while working
with FCSS, which already has connections with local families and an understanding of the
resources they may need.
Working closely with FCSS, Rotary was able to determine the supplies required for students at
different grade levels. Each of the 50 applicants received a new backpack along with the
classroom supplies needed for their grade.
“So essentially all supplies related to the classroom,” Hunting said.
The program is designed to help local youth head into the new school year prepared with the
tools they need, while also helping families with some of the costs associated with getting
children ready for school.
For Rotary, supporting local families is an important part of the club’s role in the community.
The club relies on community fundraising to support its initiatives and looks for meaningful
ways to put those funds back into the communities it serves.
“Our Rotary Club relies heavily on fundraising within our community, which have been very
successful in the past,” Hunting said. “We are committed to helping local families in need, and
providing back-to-school supplies is the start of a bright year for our next generation.”
Rotary Club of Morinville Sturgeon photo
Rotary launches new backpack program for local youth
