Latest news with #KingswayMall
CTV News
6 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
CTV News
23-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Rooftop garden growing and buzzing for 3rd season on Edmonton mall
A garden perched atop an Edmonton mall is growing once again. The rooftop garden at Kingsway Mall returned for its third season on Friday, and the shopping centre says the bounty is expected to be bigger with 90 planters up from the 54 planters last year. The garden is expected to produce more than 300 pounds of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs which will be donated to Edmonton's Food Bank to feed families in need. 'Fresh, accessible food has never been more important to our community,' Bo Tarasenko with Kingsway Mall said in a news release. 'With the growing demand for food support in Edmonton, and the recent loss of key programs that previously supplied fresh produce, supporting food security initiatives is more important than ever.' 'Although a garden like this one feels like a small drop in the bucket, we're committed to doing what we can, and we hope others will be inspired to grow and give as well,' he added, with numbers indicating Edmonton's food bank is averaging almost 44,000 people using the hamper program in the first four months of this year. 'Locally grown food not only helps reduce food insecurity, it also contributes to a food sovereign Edmonton,' Tamisan Bencz-Knight with Edmonton's Food Bank said in a press release. 'Growing a little extra goes a long way in helping put food on the table for those in need while also contributing to a kinder community.' Kingsway Mall covers the cost of the garden and it will be maintained entirely by mall staff and tenants for the first time. Rooftop beehives are also back, which were added last year to encourage pollination of the plants. More information about the rooftop garden and other mall initiatives can be found online.
