The Gateway of Hope made it easier for about 400 91原创 kids to head back to class by providing bags filled with school supplies.

Families that had registered were able to stop by Gateway on Aug. 31 to pick up grade-appropriate supplies for their students as well as free books.

Parent Lori Smith brought two of her three school-age kids to pick up supplies, noting how pricey it is to send the kids back to class. That鈥檚 why the school supply drive is such a help. Their grandmother, Karen Smith, noted that often the schools insist on particular pricier name brands.

With new backpacks and their bags of school supplies, Lori鈥檚 girls Julie, who is going into Grade 5 and Laura, destined for Grade 4, were unanimous asked what was their favourite class in school.

鈥淕ym,鈥� they said in unison.

This year Gateway had almost 400 children registered for supplies and still more that missed the registration deadline.

鈥淚t gets expensive when you add it up,鈥� said parent Sabrina Clements whose daughter Emily heads off to kindergarten this year. 鈥淲e make it stretch and we make do, so this really helps.鈥�

More and more families are having to turn to Gateway for help sending the kids back to school.

鈥淚鈥檝e looked at all our stats over the last 10 years, since we鈥檝e been at Gateway and I鈥檝e seen an average of 12 per cent increase each year,鈥� said Krista Hannan, Gateway鈥檚 fundraising coordinator. 鈥淪o I鈥檓 looking at about 400 children.鈥�

She factored in an increase for this year and demand is still be above that.

鈥淟ast year we did 350 children. This year we鈥檙e already above that mark,鈥� Hannan said.

And there鈥檚 still families calling to get on the list.

Gateway will distribute the remaining supplies that have been donated by the community, but the kits won鈥檛 be as complete as the kits handed out last week.

Any families that missed registering in time can still contact Gateway at 604-514-7375 or in person at 5787 91原创 Bypass.

鈥淲e鈥檒l take their information and do the best we can,鈥� Hannan said.