Community & Business
1 November, 2024
Call for School Savvy pop-up shop donations
AN initiative that helps vulnerable families get children back to school in January without breaking the bank will return next year, but locals are being urged to donate items now to ensure its success.
Centacare FNQ, with the support of Vocational Partnerships Group (VPG) Atherton, has announced it will return to the Tablelands with its School Savvy pop-up shop on 14 January 2025.
School Savvy was established in 2016 by Centacare FNQ to provide community service to help families and students get back to school. It has developed into a series of pop-up shops held throughout the region in January, providing donated uniforms, new stationary supplies, and free haircuts.
Centacare FNQ’s School Savvy Program lead Kumiko Millward said the first Atherton pop-up shop was held in January this year and supported more than 170 local students and provided 21 haircuts.
The organisation’s five pop-up shops opened across the region between Innisfail and Mossman and served more than 2,330 students.
“Getting children back to school can be expensive, and immediately following the festive season is an added financial concern for families already impacted by cost-of-living pressures,” Ms Millward said.
In preparation for 2025, School Savvy and VPG Atherton are asking families with school-age children to take stock of what school supplies they have, what they need, and what they no longer need.
“We are actively seeking donations of school supplies from across the region to ensure every pop-up shop has the right uniforms and plentiful stock,” Ms Millward said.
“We are inviting the community to donate pre-loved school uniforms, backpacks, shoes, scientific calculators, and essential school supplies to support local students.”
VPG CEO and Tablelands local Maryanne Tranter expressed her appreciation for the community’s ongoing support and encouraged everyone to rally again this year.
“VPG is proud to partner with Centacare FNQ once more to bring the School Savvy pop-up shop back to Atherton, supporting students across the Mareeba-Tablelands region,” she said.
“Working closely with local children, youth, and families in schools and throughout our regional communities, we see firsthand the challenges many face, and we need to help vulnerable families access the support and resources they need.
“Last year, we were incredibly grateful for how our community came together, donating uniforms and school supplies, and this year, we’re asking locals to join us again.
“Every donation, no matter how small, makes a real difference. By helping our local children and youth start the school year with what they need, we can give them the confidence to thrive.”
Donations needed this year are:
• New/pre-loved school uniforms
• School backpacks
• Scientific calculators
• School shoes
• Stationery
• Notebooks
• New lunchboxes
• New water bottles
Donation Points are at Vinnies (Railway Lane, Atherton), VPG Atherton Office (5 Comet Avenue), Better Together Community Support (16 Robert Street), and Centacare FNQ Atherton Office (26 Mabel Street).
