St Vincent De Paul encourages Townsville to donate school tools to Operation Backpack 2020

Disadvantaged local schoolchildren will receive vital back-to-school tools with the generosity of the Townsville community.

DISADVANTAGED local primary and high school children will receive vital back-to-school tools through the generosity of the Townsville community.

St Vincent de Paul Society is calling on Townsville to donate items to Operation Backpack 2020 campaign that will help young minds flourish. Items that can be donated include pens, pencils, rulers, erasers, highlighters, glue, lunch boxes, note pads, water bottles, pencil cases and backpacks. A large donation box sits outside CastleTown Big W where contributions can be made.

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St Vincent De Paul executive officer Edwina Wagland said the campaign saw thousands of dollars’ worth of items donated to help struggling families in 2019.

“With the floods last year, families are still doing it tough so we have decided to collaborate again with CastleTown,” she said. “It is an expensive time of the year and it’s an opportunity to get behind families that have been through the floods.”

Ms Wagland said the stationary donations would make a real difference to young lives.

“Every child wants to fit in and it is sad to see children go back to school without what they need to learn and grow,” she said. “Vinnies is about giving that hand up to support people and children’s growth and journey through life.”

CastleTown centre manager Katherine Langsford said the shopping precinct was happy to help provide learning tools for young Townsville kids.

“We are proud to again be partnering with the St Vincent De Paul for a second year in a row to assist Townsville families who need a little help with their back to school needs,” she said.

Originally published as St Vincent De Paul encourages Townsville to donate school tools to Operation Backpack 2020