Interfaith Food Bank launches back-to-school campaign

By Lethbridge Herald on July 19, 2022.

The Interfaith Food Bank is helping families prepare for back to school this summer with the annual Ready Set Go! Fair in partnership with My City Care’s Stuff the Bus, aiming to help prepare families with the necessary supplies children need for returning to school.

Working with community agencies and local school district the Fair looks to not only provide back to school supplies but also connections within the local community.

This year the Fair will look to also include healthy back to school snack items, such as granola bars, fruit cups, and juice boxes. The Food Bank is committed to ensuring all school supply donations go back to the those in need. This year the Fair will look to supply around 1,300 children with the tools they need to be ready for classes come fall.

School supply donations for Ready Set Go! can be dropped off at local food banks, YMCA, or My City Care with a charitable tax receipt available for donations to the back-to-school programs. Local businesses, clubs, and organizations will aid in collection and any groups looking to participate as a local drop off location can contact the Food Bank at 403-320-8779. Registration is now open with limited spaces. Items dropped of at local locations will be picked up during August 23 – 25.

The Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge provides food and access to services within the community since 1989. With many programs like outreach resources and community kitchens the society assists those in need with many options to help those struggling to provide. In 2021 the society served 14,500 individuals in Lethbridge with 41 per cent of those being children in need.

The Ready Set Go! collaborative efforts have become the main venue for supporting families in need as they prepare their children to return to school.