'The struggle is there': Prince County organization wants to give 500 backpacks to Island kids

With another school year just around the corner, a group of P.E.I.volunteers wants to ensure that Island students show up on the first day wearing backpacks full of all the pens, pencils and paper they need.

Operation Backpack began five years ago. The Prince County-based campaign helpslocal students and their families who can't afford to buy school supplies.

But thisyear, the demand for backpacks and supplies has increased and volunteersrequire more donations if they're going to meet their goal of 500 backpacks.

Debbie Howatt-Gallant, co-ordinator forOperation Backpack,said the group gave out 220 backpacks the first yearand the number has increased to more than 300 each year since.

'The struggle is there'

Howatt-Gallant said so farthe campaign hasn't hadto turn anyone away, but she fears the day when that happens.

"The struggle is there," she said.

"The price of school supplies, it's crazy."

There are multiple ways for people to get involved, according to Howatt-Gallant.

She said Operation Backpack will accept cash donations as well as backpacks and extra school supplies such as binders, rulers, pencils and erasers.

'It touches us all'

She hopes Islanders will consider contributing to this year's campaign.

"It touches us all," she said.

"Being in there and packing backpacks and just knowing that they're going to families who need them, it just feels great. It feels right."

Operation Backpack runs until Sept. 1. Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:

• SummersideCommunity Church.
• Summerside's Salvation Army Church.
• Summerside Rotary Library.
• Confederation Centre Library.
• Montague Library.

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