Community
10 January, 2025
Helping kids back to school
THE first of the School Savvy pop-up stores opened on Wednesday at the Cairns Showgrounds, with an eager crowd ready to pick up back-to-school uniforms and stationary supplies.
![School Savvy volunteers (left] Ruth Niyowungere and Ira Pangestu help out at the Cairns Showgrounds. Picture: Andree Stephens](https://cairnslocalnews-4634.kxcdn.com/img/containers/assets/news/pg-5---egn_school-savvy-cairns-1.jpg/740023fa986bdd426de270f19345fd38.jpg)
The annual initiative provides discounted pre-loved uniforms, as well as stationery, art supplies, shoes, bags, calculators, new drink bottles and lunch boxes – everything needed from day one of school.
The program has been running for eight years as a collaboration between Centacare and volunteer organisations, with demand peaking last year after Cyclone Jasper flooding.
Cairns Centacare executive director Anita Veivers said “the demand is consistent”.
“Every year there are always families that need resources to get back to school on day one,” she said.
“That really is our focus, we want all kids being able to engage in their education from the beginning of the school year rather than waiting a couple of weeks while their parents struggle to get things they need.”
The program relies on donations as well as new items (drink bottles and lunchboxes) from the public. Donations can be dropped off at Centacare FNQ McCormack or Aplin Street, Connect hub Cairns Central or any Vinnies store.
The Cairns pop-up continues today, Monday and Tuesday. Pop-ups have also been established at Trinity Park (Marlin Coast Neighbourhood Centre), Edmonton (Hambledon House Community Centre), and Atherton, Wuchopperen Health Service, Mossman and Innisfail.
