With requests from students in need of food, clothing, and transportation up 70 per cent, the Thames Valley Education Foundation is hoping people will consider giving to its one-day fundraiser this Giving Tuesday.
The foundation, which doles out emergency financial support through its Caring Fund, aims to raise $20,000 on Tuesday.
"The pandemic has put additional pressure on families that were already struggling," Foundation Executive Director Jackie Ellefsen said in a statement.
She noted that so far this school year 215 families have required a combined $79,000 in emergency assistance.
“If the trend continues, we project a need for more than $270,000 – a significant jump over last year’s $167,000 funding total,” said Ellefsen.
Among those to receive money through the foundation was a family who was left homeless after fire gutted their home.
"You don't realize how important this kind of support is until you find yourself receiving help,” said the mother of the family. “It made me realize that our family mattered to the community, and that there are people out there who cared about our family.”
The Caring Fund provides up to $500 to students in need of food and clothing and is meant to bridge the gap between families in immediate need and long-term community-based supports. Requests for assistance, which are made through school principals, are proceeded in less than 48 hours.
Donations to the Caring Fund can be made through the foundation's website.