mmg.com.au

Tomorrow:Today Foundation is again helping local children to start school on a positive note.

The foundation has distributed 515 vouchers worth $27500 through the 2013 Sidney Myer Fund/FRRR Back to School Program.

This is the ninth consecutive year that Tomorrow:Today Foundation has helped Benalla and district families in need with back-to-school expenses for their children’s education.

More vouchers than usual were distributed this year thanks to local community support.

Tomorrow:Today Foundation director Bill Dobson thanked the Rotary Club of Benalla, Benalla Lions Club and Soroptimist International as well as a number of local families who supported the purchase of extra vouchers.

‘‘We knew there was extra need in the community this year,’’ Mr Dobson said.

‘‘When we discovered that we could buy extra vouchers on a two-for-one basis we approached a number of groups and received strong support, enabling us to send $2250 in cash to secure $4500 worth of extra vouchers.’’

The vouchers are distributed to school principals who arrange for them to be distributed to families experiencing financial hardship. The vouchers assist families in need to purchase essential items such as books, stationary and school bags as well as shoes and clothing at the start of the school year.

Benalla P-12 College principal Barbara O’Brien said the vouchers were greatly appreciated.

‘‘This year there was great need among our families as all students needed to change to a new school uniform.

‘‘We really appreciated the work Tomorrow:Today did to ensure our vouchers were tailored for use at our uniform shop.’’

The 2013 Back to School Program is an initiative of the Sidney Myer Fund and FRRR, proudly supported by the Origin Foundation, the Ian Potter Foundation, the Estate of the Late Edward Wilson, Aussie Farmers Foundation, the Julian Flett Foundation managed by Perpetual, other generous donors, Target and the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government.