At the end of January, the fifth School Savvy pop-up shop closed it's doors for another year. 2021 was the first time ever that School Savvy FNQ was available in three pop-up shops with the main shop located in Manunda, and two satellite shops open for 1 and 2 days in Mooroobool and Edmonton. Everything went smoothly except for a slight disruption due to cyclone threat.
As always, we are taken aback by the support we receive from the community of Cairns. We are delighted to share that we were able to help support over 1,200 children to get back to school with what they need to be ready to learn.
As the School Savvy initiative heads towards it's 6th year, it has become an ongoing project, with an annual pop up store supporting local children to be prepared for the start of the school year. School Savvy has spread to other parts of Queeensland including, Townsville in North Queensland and Rockhampton in Central Queensland. We are very proud to see the initiative go from strength to strength.
School Savvy aims to help as many children as possible, from families on lower incomes or those going through difficult times, to start the new school year ready to learn with what they need. The initiatives does this by collecting donations of new and pre-loved uniform items and school supplies and by partnering and collaborating with local community organisations and businesses to support the family as a whole. School Savvy utilises a sustainable approach to reduce waste, reuse and recycle usable items and meet the needs of people experiencing financial hardship.
Getting children ready for a new school year can be a struggle for many families. For families on lower incomes or for those going through challenging times it can be especially tough now add to this the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and things become very difficult.
School Savvy FNQ thanks the community, partners and supporters.
Over the past few weeks the School Savvy team has been visiting partners and supporters who have made this year's School Savvy program possible, to present them with a Certificate of Thanks. Centacare FNQ is very thankful to School Savvy major partner St Vincent de Paul Society, partners - Tosco Office National, Pacifica Chartered Accountants, Grant Thornton Australia, Orange Sky Laundry in Cairns, Pacific Toyota, QStars, UnitingCare, the hairdressers who were involved in this year's pop-up shop, and the community of Cairns for your generosity and support. The spirit of school savvy was high!
As we progress through 2021, we will be working towards next year's project. We are delighted that St Vincent de Paul will continue to collect school uniform items and school supplies throughout the year. So, donations of good quality, second-hand or new school uniforms and school supplies will continue to be accepted. Donations can be dropped off at the School Savvy shop during opening hours or alternatively at any Vinnies store or at Centacare FNQ reception on the first floor at Aplin Street.
Any businesses interested in getting involved or donating to School Savvy FNQ can do so by contacting the School Savvy team on (07) 4044 0130 or by emailing [email protected].
Please LIKE & SHARE the School Savvy FNQ Facebook page or search for @SchoolSavvyFNQ
