Surrey non-profit distributes 1,400 school-supply backpacks

City Dream Centre distributed 1,400 backpacks filled with school supplies at its annual back-to-school event in Surrey on Saturday. More than 2,000 people attended the free event at Lena Shaw Elementary, according to founder and CEO Loretta Hibbs.

Families began lining up as early as 6 a.m. before distribution started at 10 a.m. This year, the organization limited backpacks to elementary-school children after all supplies were handed out in the first 90 minutes of last year’s event.

Children also received some new clothes and took part in activities including a bouncy castle, cornhole and face painting, with a hot dog lunch provided. No pre-registration was required.

Hibbs said the ninth annual event is intended to ease some of the financial pressure families face at the start of the school year. City Dream Centre collects donations throughout the year; a recent donation of 144 backpacks helped bring this year’s total to 1,400.

Founded in 2016, the organization provides food to 280 Surrey families during the school year, with eligibility vetted by the Surrey School District. It also operates a mobile dental-care bus, parent education courses and programs in federal and provincial prisons. More information is available at citydreamcentre.com.