Canby students are headed back to school soon, and that means one thing: The return of The Canby Center‘s annual community resource hub and backpack giveaway.
The local Christian ministry and nonprofit resource center held the luau-themed event on Saturday, Aug. 14, welcoming guests and volunteers to beat the heat with shaved ice, raffles, games and food cooked and served by Canby Police and Canby Fire.
The center held a modified version of its backpack giveaway last year — sans backpacks, since schools would be opening still in distance learning mode due to the pandemic.
Instead, the event last summer focused on supplies and accessories better suited for the home classroom, such as whiteboards, storage bins and desks.
This year, the backpacks were back.
The event returned to its roots, allowing kids to pick their choice of a donated backpack, along with school supplies such as notebooks and pencils. A record 402 students took part.
“I’m not one to ask for help or for a handout,” said one Canby mom. “But finances have been really tight.”
In addition to the first responders, local resources such as the Canby Kiwanis Foundation’s Imagination Library and Pass It On! Canby took part in the event.
On Saturday, August 14, The Canby Center welcomed community members to an exciting family event! Guests and volunteers escaped the heat and enjoyed shaved ice, raffles, and games. Opportunities to connect with local resources included Imagination Library with the Canby Kiwanis Foundation and Pass It Own Canby. Canby Fire Department and Canby Police Department helped us cook and serve delicious, luau-themed food.
A record-breaking 402 students received brand new backpacks and essential supplies they need to head back to school in Canby this fall.
The Canby Center thanks local businesses and organizations who supported the event with school supply drives throughout the year. For more information or to access resources, visit thecanbycenter.org.
