Can you help with Operation Backpack?

Operation Backpack will run from Tuesday, 3 January until Monday, 23 January. PHOTO: Contributed

Kingaroy Shoppingworld and St Vincent de Paul have joined forces for their annual Operation Backpack charity drive, providing local children with school supplies before the 2023 school year kicks off.

Operation Backpack will run from Tuesday, 3 January until Monday, 23 January, with all stationary items distributed by St Vincent De Paul once the 2023 school year begins.

Kingaroy Shoppingworld has been supporting families through the St Vincent de Paul partnership for more than 5 years, and each year the initiative raises thousands of dollars’ worth of supplies to donate.

Items needed include pens, lead pencils, highlighters, rulers, erasers, glue sticks, lunch boxes, rolls of clear contact, note pads, water bottles, coloured pencils, pencil cases and backpacks.

These can be dropped off at the donation bins inside the shopping centre.

“We’ve loved working with St Vincent de Paul to support local families over the years,” Kingaroy Shoppingworld Centre Manager, Chris O’Rourke said.

“We know that people are feeling the pinch more than ever, and might be struggling to send their kids to school with everything they need.

“Operation Backpack is a great opportunity for our customers to help their neighbours while they’re stocking up on school supplies at the centre.”