The Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce and the Neighbourhood Centre are working together to support families heading back to school in 2024.
The idea for creating a back-to-school support program came from Byron Shire Councillor Sarah Ndiaye who had seen it working in another area and then mentioned it to Jenelle Stanford from the Mullumbimby Newsagency.
‘Sarah was telling me that when she was a young mother how it was a struggle at times to get things together for the beginning of the school year,’ says Jenelle. ‘So we as a chamber decided to reach out to the Mullumbimby Neighbourhood Centre who then told us what was needed and we put it together.
‘The newsagency does book packs already for high schools and Stewart’s Menswear do a lot of different uniform and school bags and accessories so we got together and made it happen.’
Katie Tweedie from the Neighbourhood Centre said the packs contain basic school supplies and vouchers for Stewart’s Menswear to get school uniforms.
An equal start to the year
Katie says this type of support to a family can be the difference between putting food on the table and paying other bills. ‘This gives all children an equal start to the year ahead.’
To access the support program, families can visit the Neighbourhood Centre on their Community Support days – Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and make an appointment to speak to either Kaz or Katie.
Tax-deductible donations to support their efforts can be made at www.mdnc.org.au or at the centre’s reception.
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