The Big Giveback

The Big Giveback was a huge success! Running from Friday, August 13th (10-2) to Saturday, August 14th (2-4) at the Dream Cottage, we were able to fill the cottage with as much Back to School supplies as we could, helping ensure that every kid started the year with what they needed to succeed! We are blown away with the support we received for this event and hope to do it again in summer 2021.

Although the Back to School period is exciting for many, it is also stressful for some PEI families.  We are going to be working with Operation Backpack and the Upper Room Hospitality Ministry Food Bank, to ensure that all Island students are ready to go back to school!

This year is Operation Backpack’s 9th year collecting backpacks and school supplies for families who need them.  Last year, they collected 518 – let’s help them collect even more!  In addition to backpacks of all sizes and grades (K-12), they are also looking for a wide variety of school supplies from Hilroy scribblers to pens to hand sanitizer; please see the full list below.

Food security is an issue on our island, as it affects 1 in 5 children on PEI.  The school breakfast and lunch programs provide families with support but there are still gaps. We were able to partner with the Upper Room Hospitality Ministry Food Bank to fill their shelves with breakfast, lunch and snack items like cereal, granola bars and juice boxes; again please see the full list of needs below.

As a thank you for your Big Giveback donation….

We celebrated the generosity of Islanders with some great prizes & treats. Those who dropped by the Dream Cottage with a donation received a bottle of COWS Raspberry Cordial (while supplies last) & had a chance to win some great prizes including:

Day at the Beach Prizes – BBBSPEI Beach Bag, 4 Raspberry Cordial from COWS Inc. & 92 Family Beach Cup Set (Travel Edition) from EasternBids Auctions

Go Back to School In-Style Prizes – $50 Vogue Optical & a $25 Caren About Your Hair Gift Card

$50 Staples Gift Cards

To add to the fun, Adam Ramsay from CFCY & Q93 broadcasted from the Cottage on Friday (August 13th) and Margot Postma & her dancers led line dancing lessons in the parking lot at 10:30, we also used this event as a chance to offer tours, and answer any questions you might have about volunteering.

Weren’t able to get to The Dream Cottage? After seeing how successful The Big Giveback event was we are hoping to run it again for the upcoming 2022 season, so stay tuned for further updates!

For more info: Call 902-569-KIDS or email info@bbbspei.ca

OPERATION BACKPACK WISHLIST

Backpacks (of all sizes)

Pocket Folders

Duotangs

Hilroy Scribblers

Loose Leaf Paper

Construction Paper

Rulers

Plastic Pencil Cases

Zipper Pencil Cases

Pencil Sharpeners

Geometry Sets

Scientific Calculators

Binders

Subject Dividers

Blue Pens

Red Pens

Highlighters

White Out

Dull point Scissors

Sharp point Scissors

Glue Sticks

Markers

Coloured Pencils

Crayons

Small Hand Sanitizers

THE UPPER ROOM FOOD BANK WISHLIST

Granola Bars

Applesauce

Fruit Snacks

Cheese and Crackers

Cereal

Drinking Boxes

Oatmeal

Donations of cash can be made for Operation Backpack and/or the Upper Room Hospitality Ministry Food Bank as well.