Families preparing children for the new school year are receiving additional help with the cost of school supplies, with the FMH Sandy Lane Charitable Trust making donations to both Abed’s and Woolworths to assist parents and guardians with back-to-school purchases.
The charity’s founder-director, Faith Marshall-Harris, said: “Every year, [Abed’s] helps me in our charity, the FMH Sandy Lane Charitable Trust Charity, to distribute some of the back-to-school supplies to parents and grandparents who have children who need these supplies.”
Marshall-Harris said rising prices were making it increasingly difficult for some families to afford school necessities, while some of the children receiving assistance were facing additional family challenges.
“Some of the children that we’re helping this year have tragically lost fathers. Some of them are in a situation where some fathers are not supporting, and in fact, this year we have a number of grandparents who have taken over the role because of that—and I mean paternal grandparents.”
She said the trust decided to broaden its assistance this year by also making a donation to Woolworths.
Founder and Director of the FMH Sandy Lane Charitable Trust Faith Marshall-Harris making a donation to Managing Director of Woolworths Martin Bryan. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)
“This year we’re not only doing this at Abed’s, but we’re also doing a similar thing at Woolworth because we found that some of the parents need some supplies that are not obtainable here, and especially stationery and so on.”
Managing Director of Abed’s, Eddy Abed, said supporting families preparing for the new school year had become “part of our DNA. We do it more every year.”
Abed also encouraged other businesses and individuals who are able to help to contribute to the back-to-school effort.
“And we need you to manage who should be assisted because that’s always difficult. We have our own people that we help, but I know that there are many others out there who need help,” he said.
Grandparent Carol Clarke, who benefited from the initiative, became emotional while expressing her appreciation to Marshall-Harris and the Trust.
“Madame Faith Harris and thanks to Sandy Lane. Thanks for all the good that you have been doing for the children. It’s a pleasure to be here with you this morning and the first time meeting you… Thanks,” she said.
At Woolworths, Managing Director Martin Bryan said the store had seen an increase in back-to-school activity following the end of Crop Over.
“We’ve had an increase, certainly, in customers as well as kids coming in trying on. And when we get closer and closer to back-to-school, we expect to get busier and busier.”
Bryan said Woolworths had maintained its school-related prices at last year’s levels in an effort to help customers manage the cost of living.
“We’re cognisant of the fact that cost of living is an issue, so we’ve not raised our prices,” he said.
Parents shopping at the store also highlighted their preparations and concerns ahead of the new school year.
Joshua Hunte, who was shopping with his son Zion, said he chose Woolworths because of the fit of the Young Junior brand.
“My main thing is just getting his, you know, his school supplies and his clothes on time, basically before everybody’s rushing to buy them,” he said.
Ria Greene, who was shopping with her son Mikaio Timothy, said: “I like the prices. The prices are very affordable and I find you’re able to get school clothes for various schools,” she said.
But Greene said delays in obtaining some books remained a concern.
“It’s almost the end of summertime going into school time, and I find for some books it took a really, really long time,” she said. “It kind of is concerning for parents because you’re thinking that you want your child to go into school being prepared for school, but if you don’t get the book, then the child has to go to school without the book.”
Leigh-Ann Norville said she began purchasing books in late July and was now focused on securing additional uniforms before school begins.
“Just making sure that I get everything in a timely manner and I’m able to get all the items on the booklist,” she said.
She added that securing uniforms early was particularly important because adjustments may be needed.
“Uniforms, because he is a little tinier. So, you know, you want to make sure you get to the seamstress or needle worker in time that they could do the adjustments.”
(LE)
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