Back-to-school burden eased through Bunbury Zonta Club’s Backpack Project

The back-to-school chaos is hard enough on families, but it can be even harder on those who are doing it tough. This is why a South West club decided to help by donating backpacks filled with school supplies to some of Bunbury’s primary schools. The Zonta Club of Bunbury has supported families through its Backpack Project, which supplies essential school items to children at the beginning of each year. Now in its third year, the project has this year delivered 60 backpacks to four Bunbury schools. “The project started in 2021, after Zonta members read a report that teachers were using their own money to ensure children of WA families struggling to make ends meet had essential school supplies,” project coordinator Jo Birch said. “Zonta members decided to step forward and help.” In the project’s first year, donations from Coles Eaton staff and Zonta fundraising meant 36 backpacks were delivered to three schools in Bunbury. In 2022, donations from Nightguard Security, Tronox and South 32 allowed more schools to come on board, including two schools in Collie. Teachers identified which families needed a hand and parents were contacted at the end of the 2021 school year in readiness for 2022. Tronox again supported the project this year, along with Bunbury Officeworks, which gave the project a boost, according to Mrs Birch. “The need is great and we wish we could donate more backpacks,” she said. “It’s heartening to know that our support lifts a significant financial burden and helps to level the playing field.”