A one-day push to raise funds for Thames Valley District School Board students and their families left struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic has exceeded expectations.
The Thames Valley Education Foundation announced on Wednesday that its Giving Tuesday campaign brought in more than $32,500.
“We are overwhelmed with the incredible response from the community. Overwhelmed – but not surprised,” Foundation Executive Director Jackie Ellefsen said in a statement. “The response has shown us once again that we live in a generous and caring community.”
Ahead of the fundraiser, the foundation had set a goal of raising $20,000 over a 24 hour period.
The money will be put into the foundation's Caring Fund, which provides up to $500 to students and families in need of food, clothing, or transportation.
There has been a 70 per cent increase this year in the number of requests for help from the Caring Fund. So far, 215 families have accessed a combined $79,000 in emergency cash.
"At this rate, we project a need for more than $270,000 – a significant jump over last year’s $167,000 funding total,” said Ellefsen. “The success of the Giving Tuesday campaign will allow us to continue to help students in need and meet with the increased demand."
Requests for assistance are made through school principals and are processed in less than 48 hours. The funding gives families immediate help while long-term community-based supports are being sought. It also aims to help students focus on learning and attending school, the foundation said.
Additional donations to the Caring fund can be made at www.tvdsb.ca/Donate.