OTTAWA, ON - For the second year in a row, Progress for Mental Health (PFMH) is proud to launch Project Saade, an initiative that distributed school supplies and backpacks to underprivileged youth in Ottawa. PFMH’s partners; Providing Instruments for Excellence (PIE) Education and the John Tavares Foundation will distribute backpacks in Barrie and Toronto.
This year’s partnership will provide a record number of 7500 backpacks and school supplies to youth, helping to ensure they are on the path to success for the upcoming school year.
“This year we have been able to provide over 1300 backpacks to children in Ottawa alone," said Brian Storseth, co-founder of PFMH. “A special ‘thank you’ to our partners PIE Education and the John Tavares Foundation for continuing to team up with PFMH on such a worthwhile initiative”.
“This project is near and dear to my heart, “ said Amel Storseth. “Project Saade is in memory of my brother, Saade, who I know would be so proud to see the positive impact this initiative brings to the youth and families in our community.
As families prepare for the upcoming school year, Project Saade has provided backpacks to a number of organizations within the Ottawa area such as YouTurn Youth Support Services, the Boys and Girls Club, the Youth Empowerment Center, as well as a number of schools in the Ottawa area. The past two years have provided a total of 2300 backpacks in Ottawa alone!
The initiative marks the 14th annual PIE Education backpack program, led by co-founders, Mayor Alex Nuttall and Craig Russell of PIE Wood Fire Pizza Joint. PIE Education is a community-focused program designed for kids growing up in government-subsidized housing, providing students with the necessary materials for educational success for the upcoming school year.
PFMH is a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to enriching the lives of the one in five Canadians living with mental illness.
Visit www.pfmh.org for more information or to donate.
