Latest news with #EPSF
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
‘We've got you': School drives collecting supplies at Edmonton malls
The Pack the Pack initiative at Kingsway Mall aims to collect school supplies for Edmonton students. (CTV News Edmonton/Sean McClune) With back to school on the horizon, the cost of a child's school supplies list can be daunting for many families. But two initiatives are hoping to alleviate some of the pressure by collecting school supplies to be distributed to schools across the city. The Edmonton Public Schools Foundation (EPSF) has partnered with Kingsway Mall to 'pack the pack.' 'We are hoping to pack this backpack with new or unused school supplies in support of students this fall,' said EPSF acting director Catherine Bay. 'When students can start the year feeling prepared, they'll be a lot more confident in their learning.' A 'most needed' list of supplies is available on the EPSF website, and includes items like Duo-Tangs, notebooks, pencils, pencil crayons and binders. Bay said she's seen a need for supplies which has been growing every year. According to shopping lists from some Edmonton public schools, families with kids in elementary and junior high could be spending $50-$100 for a basic supply list. 'September tends to be a very expensive month for many families, and so the need just keeps increasing,' said Bay. 'Our goal is to be able to respond positively to students who do need that extra support. 'Don't worry, we've got you.' The drive is running until Sept. 6 at Kingsway Mall. SUPPLYDRIVE West Edmonton Mall is holding a school supplies drive until Aug. 17. (CTV News Edmonton/Sean McClune) But if you happen to be in the city's west end, West Edmonton Mall is also holding a drive in partnership with WEM Volkswagen and London Drugs to fill a bus with school supplies. Anna Alfonso, vice-president of marketing for West Edmonton Mall, said donations will be given to community partner Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society and its family resource network. 'We are hoping for over 1,000 items donated,' said Alfonso. 'London Drugs has generously committed to providing backpacks and school supplies as well, and West Edmonton Mall is matching up to 100 items of school supplies donated.' SUPPLYDRIVE People can drop off new and unused school supplies at this Volkswagen van in West Edmonton Mall until Aug. 17. (CTV News Edmonton/Sean McClune) And while you might be picturing a big yellow school bus, the vehicle being filled is actually a Volkswagen bus that will be near Bourbon Street until Aug. 17. 'It's a fun play on what the city did with 'stuff a bus,'' said Alfonso. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Nahreman Issa
Business Wire
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Scholarship Organization Continues to Grow Its Impact and Reach
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS) is pleased to announce their next step in supporting educational opportunities across Pennsylvania by assuming responsibility and operations of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program for the Diocese of Allentown. For many years BLOCS has supported schools and students in the Diocese of Allentown and the broader Lehigh Valley region and worked in partnership with the diocese-operated scholarship organization, the Eastern Pennsylvania Scholarship Foundation (EPSF). BLOCS will now manage and operate the EITC program in support of schools in the Diocese of Allentown. In conjunction with this, BLOCS welcomes Amy Impellizzeri to the King of Prussia based organization. Ms. Impellizzeri previously served as the Director of Scholarships and championed the EITC effort for the Diocese of Allentown and EPSF. 'We are thrilled to have Amy join BLOCS, and we look forward to bringing our full team and dedicated services to the donors and schools in the Diocese of Allentown and their broad region,' said Rob Delany, CEO of BLOCS. 'We have enjoyed a collaborative relationship with Amy and are grateful for the opportunity to continue our work to increase the amount of scholarships for our children.' 'Diocese of Allentown schools are filled with potential,' said Dr. Michael St. Pierre, Superintendent of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Allentown. 'We believe that our inclusion in the BLOCS system will allow us to grow our funding for schools exponentially.' About BLOCS For more than 40 years, BLOCS has been committed to providing eligible families access to high-quality, values-based private or faith-based education, providing students with positive and successful pathways forward. As the largest scholarship organization in the state, BLOCS awards 30,000 scholarships annually to families and students across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. More information can be found at: About EPSF The Eastern Pennsylvania Scholarship Fund (EPSF) provides financial assistance to families within the Diocese of Allentown to help cover the cost of tuition. School age students range from PreK to 12th grade. The Diocese also operates several schools which specialize in learning differences.
