Manning Gardens Public School has become the beneficiary of a thoughtful gesture by Marayong Public School.
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The school accepted a large number of backpacks and boxes of stationery following a collection drive that was headed up by the Blacktown based school's deputy principal Maxine Manukau.
"Initially our students were wanting to help support a school community that was affected by the ongoing drought - then the fires broke out - so they wanted to find students where they were impacted by both," Ms Manukau said.
Without a school in mind and with no options to transport the gear, food relief organisation Foodbank stepped up to the plate to launch 'Operation Backpack'.
The organisation has supported Manning Gardens' breakfast program since 2017 and thought it would be the best school to receive the donation.
There is a lot of need in the area with some of the kids coming from tough backgrounds so it's great to give them a head start for next year.
- Adam Loftus
"They (Marayong Public School) said 'where would you like them to be delivered' and Manning Gardens was the first school that came to mind," Foodbank NSW and ACT's School Breakfast 4 Health And Agencies team leader Adam Loftus explained.
"They're very active in the community and obviously with the drought and recent bush fires they need a hand.
"We have a lot of charity partners in the area as well and they've said the kids are doing it a bit tough.
"There is a lot of need in the area with some of the kids coming from tough backgrounds so it's great to give them a head start for next year."
There were a lot of smiling faces when the Foodbank vans rolled into the school.
"The kids are very excited and they love the different colours of the backpacks- they can pick pink, blue or black," Mr Loftus said.
"It will help give them a good start to next year."
Manning Gardens principal Paul Sortwell was over the moon to receive the donation.
"We're really thankful to Marayong Public School and also the community for doing this because they're paying it forward and helping us out and we'll do the same with other communities up here," Mr Sortwell said.
"It's great support from Foodbank and its support for breakfast clubs across NSW.
"We want to be involved because it helps our children be prepared for school, a lot of our kids struggle with their incomes to have backpacks and all the necessary equipment so with Foodbank and Marayong Public supplying this to them gives them a leg up and a chance to succeed at school which is really fantastic."
Foodbank continues to support more than 130 school breakfast programs across NSW and the ACT.
