Centacare FNQ, Media Release, 22 January 2024
With uniform, stationary and back-to-school stocks replenished and hairdressers ready, Centacare FNQ’s School Savvy pop-up series has broken all previous year’s records with four days to go.
The message to parents, carers and guardians is that receiving help and support from School Savvy is still possible. The Cairns Showgrounds School Savvy pop-up shop will open from 10 am to 2 pm today and run until Thursday, 25 January 2024. A pop-up shop will also be open at Trinity Park on Wednesday, 24 January, at the Marlin Coast Neighbourhood Centre from 10 am to 2 pm.
Since opening its first pop-up shop on Monday, 8 January, at Cairns Showgrounds, with additional back-to-school outlets at Edmonton, Innisfail, Atherton and Trinity Park, School Savvy has helped 971 families, 2040 kids and provided some 227 free haircuts.
According to School Savvy’s program lead, Kumiko Millward said that when compared with last year, many more people are feeling the burden of back-to-school expenses, which she has put down to a combination of the cost-of-living crisis and the impact of both Cyclone Jasper and the flooding events.
“We have doubled our numbers regarding the support we have provided, and there are still four days to go. What this says to us is that people are hurting. It has also shown us the strength of our community and the generosity of people who have donated uniforms, free haircuts, and equipment to ensure everyone is prepared and ready for school.”
Ms Millward said School Savvy is a program she is proud to lead and one that makes a real difference. “I had a lovely visit from Brett and Rita Tyrrell, who were so grateful for the support of School Savvy in 2023 and helping parents, carers and guardians prioritise their child’s education. Brett is a single dad whose daughter Rita secured a scholarship with one of Sydney’s most prestigious girls’ schools,” Ms Millward said.
Background info:
Launched in 2016 as part of Centacare FNQ’s Anti-Poverty Week program, School Savvy is an innovative, community-based program that ensures every child has uniforms, shoes, lunch boxes, backpacks, and stationery for the best start to the school year.
According to Centacare FNQ’s Executive Director Anita Veivers, the recent flood disaster and escalating cost of living have placed additional strain on families, making support from programs like School Savvy more crucial than ever.
“We understand the challenges families face and are committed to easing the burden as much as possible,” Ms Veivers said.
Centacare FNQ’s School Savvy team is also urging the community to continue with their contributions to the program by way of school uniforms and stationary donations.
Centacare FNQ’s School Savvy’s final days of pop-up shops across the Far North as follows:
- Cairns, Cairns showgrounds: 10 am to 2 pm, M-F, from Monday 22 to Thursday 25 January 2024
- Trinity Park, Marlin Coast Neighbourhood Centre: 10 am to 2 pm, Wednesday 24 January 2024.
How you can help:
Donations of Uniforms and Supplies: The School Savvy program welcomes donations of school uniforms, stationery, backpacks, and other essential items. Donations can be dropped off at your local Vinnies, Centacare FNQ locations, or the Cairns Central Shopping Centre, Centacare Cairns Central Hub next to iPlay.
To check the latest updates and information for Centacare FNQ’s School Savvy 2024 pop up series, visit: https://www.facebook.com/schoolsavvyFNQ.
