It’s just about time to head back to school and many families may be left wondering just how they are going to be handling the added cost of school supplies. Fortunately, the Lacombe and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) have some supports available to ensure everyone goes back to school in style.  

“Tools for School is simply a program that is created from donations and sponsorship from our community. The city of Lacombe and Lacombe County, we do serve surrounding villages and towns as well as Alix, Clive, and Bentley. We collect funds to distribute actual school supplies and back to school kits,” said Crystal Zens, Executive Director of the Lacombe and District FCSS.  

The FCSS has supply lists for students in local schools and match the supplies with each student’s needs. 

The program is already working to help 145 children in the community this year with more applications being accepted daily.  

“We hope to have everything wrapped up by the first week of September. If there is an emergent need, we don't turn kids away, but we hope that the giveaway is the 30th and the 31st of August,” said Zens.  

Last year, the program helped 200 students get supplies, backpacks, and shoes for school. This year, Zens says local businesses are collaborating to create back-to-school snack kits as well.  

Over Lacombe Days, Chairs for Charity fundraised $7,470 for the Tools for School and Fill-A-Fridge Programs. The fundraiser is ran by Nowco Home Hardware in Lacombe.  

“Deanna and her team at Home Hardware initiate the fundraiser and facilitate it. We have amazing and creative businesses that showcase their community spirit through those chairs and all kinds of people purchase raffle tickets. It was a great event and had a really positive outcome,” explained Zens.   

The Lacombe FCSS is still collecting more donations for the program. You can find donation bins throughout the community at local businesses for school supplies or you can donate money online.  

For applications and more information on the program click here.  

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