Diane Trepanier is hoping to help ease the financial burden of back to school.
After receiving a Facebook message from a woman who couldn’t afford clothing and school supplies this year, she decided to help her and others by collecting a range of donated items for different grade levels. Trepanier spread the word though her Facebook page “Sharing n Caring, Hope B.C.” and requests from families in need have been pouring in.
“I really want to help kids as much as I can. Nobody will ever pay for anything,” said Trepanier. “There’s a lot of young parents here in this town with kids who can’t afford groceries, rent, and clothing. My goal is just to financially be able to help them out a little bit.”
Trepanier has spent the last eight months helping families from Hope, Chilliwack, Boston Bar and Prince George through Sharing n Caring. The idea for the project started after Trepanier heard local families couldn’t afford the prices of used clothing. She soon started collecting items for all ages and filling requests. All donated clothing is washed and dried by Trepanier, and then categorized into boxes and stored in a bedroom in her house.
“Clothing is always in great demand for so many families, and I sometimes have difficulty keeping up with my list of requests, but I do my best,” she said. “I want to help so kids aren’t bullied in schools. A lot of kids can’t afford to have the clothing that other kids have. They can come here and get it. You don’t want them to be ashamed of what they’re getting.”
Trepanier is currently accepting clothing that is not soiled, stained or torn. She said men’s clothing as well as items for teenage boys are rarely dropped off, but needed.
“I am only doing what makes me happy, making life easier for other families,” she added. “The people who donate are the ones to be acknowledged. Without them I couldn’t do this.”
Anyone that would like find out more information about Sharing n Caring, or to donate items, can contact Trepanier through her Facebook page or call 604-869-5488.