Yearly appeal a boost for Stationery Aid

A not-for-profit charity that donates used and recycled school supplies to disadvantaged students across Moreton Bay and South East Queensland has been selected to be part of a month-long fundraising appeal hosted by Officeworks.

Stationery Aid is one of 15 community organisations Australia-wide selected by Officeworks store team members for the annual Make a Difference Appeal, which will run throughout the month of June.

This year’s appeal will focus on supporting charities – like Stationery Aid - that enable children to learn, create and connect for a sustainable future.

Stationery Aid Founder Alison Schutt says having access to vital school equipment can help families break the cycle of poverty.

“Based on our research over the last three years, we estimate there are more than 23,000 students annually across Queensland state schools who are in need of support with education resources to start school,” Alison says.

“This is just four percent of the 16.6 percent of children that live in poverty across Australia, so the number of students that require help would be much greater.

“Education should be a pathway not a privilege. We know that a good education helps break the cycle of poverty and having the right resources to learn, keeping students at school, and engaged whilst learning, reduces the likelihood of absenteeism and disconnection from the community”.

Founded in 2020, Stationery Aid is dedicated to reducing solid waste and supporting education through collecting and renewing used and excess school stationery.

They do this by preparing yearly school booklists that are packed by volunteers using donated and renewed resources.

These booklists are then distributed to disadvantaged school students who would otherwise not be able to start their school year with the required supplies for learning.

Last year, Stationery Aid diverted more than 12,000kg of stationery from landfill and provided over 540 disadvantaged Queensland students with their yearly school booklists.

About the appeal

Now in its seventh year, the Make a Difference Appeal is held as part of Officeworks’ People and Planet Positive Plan commitments to make a positive difference in the communities it operates.

Last year’s appeal raised more than $950,000 for 15 charities across Australia.

Officeworks Managing Director Sarah Hunter is encouraging customers to donate either instore or online.

“At Officeworks, we want to help make bigger things happen for our community, and each year our Make a Difference Appeal provides an opportunity for us to spotlight the important work of local organisations that are close to our hearts,” Sarah says.

“The fundraising efforts of our customers and teams this June will help to ensure these organisations can continue their important work within their local communities and help make a positive difference to the lives of children by enabling them to learn, create and connect.”

Participating stores include North Lakes, Morayfield, Strathpine, Rothwell, Woolloongabba, Toowoomba, Virginia, Milton, Oxley, Ipswich, Adelaide St, Aspley, and Windsor.