Melbourne’s Philoptochos Brotherhood, Year 5 and 6 students from Oakleigh Grammar, and the organisation Backpack for Kids joined forces to support children living apart from their families.
The initiative began with a generous donation of 40 empty backpacks by the Philoptochos Brotherhood. Students then launched a campaign to collect essential items, including clothing, stationery, books, water bottles, and food containers.
The items were sorted into the backpacks and donated to Backpack for Kids, an organisation dedicated to supporting children in temporary care or foster families.
Michelle, a representative of Backpack for Kids, shared eye-opening statistics with the students, revealing that up to 16,500 children in Victoria are currently under state care, separated from their families. “The scale of the need left a profound impact on the students, who were eager to make a difference,” she said.
Oakleigh Grammar spokesperson Ms Smit reflected on the students’ involvement, saying, “The students had the opportunity to reflect on the significance of their actions and the impact they had on others. They were proud to play a role in providing essential items to children in need. This experience also allowed them to appreciate their own lives and understand how fortunate they are.”
Members of the ‘Five Loaves’ initiative, who attended the event, praised the generosity and efforts of the Philoptochos Brotherhood and the students.
“It was moving to see what can be achieved when communities unite to support those in need,” said a Five Loaves representative.
“The energy and kindness of these students have made a significant difference. This initiative is a testament to how much can be accomplished when people come together for a common cause.”
