With kids headed back to the classroom soon, the financial stress can be overwhelming for some families.

Family Community Support Services (FCSS) in Cochrane is once again supporting families with limited or lower income by offering the 'Backpack Program' to those in need.

Annemarie Tocher, Resource Centre Coordinator with FCSS, is expecting to help 200 plus students this year, similar to what was required in 2017. "I am anticipating we will be around the same kind of numbers this year but I don't know. There's nothing out there indicating that it would be either more or significantly drop."

In past years supplies and backpacks have been provided through the program but as demand exceeds 200 students, Tocher says changes are required. Partnering once again with Staples, this year the program has been tweaked for a couple of different reasons. "We found the managing, organizing, and stuffing of backpacks just from a place of space was becoming a little bit onerous, so we decided to shift this year to gift cards. The other reason was we started to look at how we were providing the program. We provided according to the school supply list but we recognize that students often times keep supplies from year to year and we had no way, in the end, of actually knowing what they needed."

Tocher says they are hopeful families will find a benefit to the change in direction. "We hope that by moving to gift cards that we'll actually provide parents with the ability to buy for their own children and guessing it will bring savings to the program."

Like in past years, families will still need to contact FCSS for eligibility requirements and gift cards will be doled out based on criteria. "They will be based on what grade their child is in and the income threshold that they meet. We have different denominations for cards associated with that school age and there is a little bit of wiggle room depending on the income of that family."

With the new direction, only financial donations will be accepted this year and community members are invited to do so at either Staples or FCSS. Cheques will also be graciously accepted and those seeking a tax receipt will need to donate through FCSS.

The backpack program can be accessed up until September 14th and Tocher encourages those in need to check on their eligibility sooner than later. "The sooner they do that the better, it helps us gauge need around donations or develop a strategy if we're needing to look more closely at our budget."

The average price of a backpack in years prior was estimated at $65 per student and Tocher is hopeful the Cochrane community will once again rally for those requiring a hand up. "We don't anticipate the need has changed so we are certainly hoping the community will rally behind the program as they always have and continue to contribute."

Both FCSS and Staples is currently accepting donations.