Trustee candidate challenges rivals to donate school supplies
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Brandon School Division trustee candidate Kirk Carr has donated school supplies to the École New Era School parent council.
He made the donation as students and families prepare for the upcoming school year, while encouraging other election candidates to follow suit by supporting schools in their wards or catchment areas.
The initiative comes after United Way West Central Manitoba discontinued its annual Tools for School program, which provided essential school supplies to more than 550 Brandon students in 2025.
Brandon School Division trustee candidate Kirk Carr has donated school supplies to the École New Era School parent council. (Supplied)
Carr said the decision to end the program left him concerned about families who may struggle to afford the supplies their children need.
“I was shocked and worried about those in our community who are already struggling to make ends meet,” Carr said.
He said he is kicking off the campaign to challenge his fellow trustee and municipal candidates to “adopt a school” and donate supplies.
“We spend hundreds of dollars on lawn signs, handouts, and promotional materials during election campaigns, and at the end of the day, with all due respect to everyone, we have nothing tangible left to show for it,” Carr said.
“While running a proper campaign is important and needed, families across Brandon are currently feeling the weight of the rising costs of absolutely everything at every turn.”
Carr said the cancellation of Tools for School has created a gap that could affect hundreds of students across the division.
“When a gap like this exists for what could be well over 550 kids in our division, we have an opportunity, and I dare say a responsibility, to step up and do the right thing for the students, parents and our community that we seek to represent,” he said.
Under his challenge, he said, candidates are encouraged to choose a school in their ward or catchment area and donate supplies directly to its parent council or school-based collection effort.
Carr said there is no minimum amount required and encouraged candidates to contribute whatever they can.
He is also encouraging candidates to make their donations visible by sharing photos and information about their contributions as part of their campaigns.
“Take a photo of your donation. Make it part of your campaign. Be creative. Share it on your socials, contact local media. Show it off, but just make it matter,” Carr said.
Carr said choosing École New Era School for his first donation was an easy decision because it is his catchment school and the school his child attends.
“Our kids shouldn’t have to go without. I hope my fellow candidates will join me in accepting the challenge by putting our community first.”
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