Elementary student Josh Whalen vividly

Elementary student Josh Whalen vividly remembers the moment he received a  backpack through the local food bank’s Backpacks for Bookworms program.
He recalls exploring its pockets, which were “loaded” with school supplies during the bus ride home. It was like Christmas in backpack.
“We didn’t have enough money to get a backpack,” he said. “It felt pretty good that I would actually have a backpack.”

Not only can the Grade 6 Coronation Street Public School student appreciate the goodwill of those who have donated to the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank’s Backpacks for Bookworms initiative, he also now knows the meaning of giving back to the program.

Whalen and his class recently put their heads together to come up with a way to raise money to support the program and students whose family budgets don’t allow for the back-to-school shopping sprees enjoyed by most. The students did everything from hold bake sales and raffles to raise hundreds of dollars, enough to buy six backpacks brimming with supplies. The total cost was about $250.
It was an effort that students, including Karel Peters, hopes will create a domino effect of giving.

“Maybe through our actions, they would do the same,” she said.
The fundraiser was a joint effort with Chalmers Street Public School, affectionately known as a “sister school”. Coronation Street Grade 6 teacher Jackee Berry’s sister Denielle Berry’s Grade 4 class also held fundraisers to purchase backpacks and supplies.
“Together we raised almost $800, which is unbelieveable,” said Jackee. “We didn’t think we would be able to raise that much money.”