North Okanagan students are at school with the supplies they need.

The local Staples raised more than $24,000 from July to September for the Back to School Project, which provides school supplies to children whose families require assistance.

“This year, the project assisted more than 430 students in our community,” said Lorel Brown, with the North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society.

Staples’ fundraising included barbecues, a silent auction and a raffle for an iMac.

“Jamie Wattie, the store manager, headed up the fundraiser for our community,” said Brown.

“She geared up her staff to get them behind the fundraising.”

The Back to School Project involved Brown and Samantha Symons from NOYFSS, Gay Jewitt from the Whitevalley Community Resource Centre, Scott Manjak from the Family Resource Center and Denis Segura from the Salvation Army.

Support for the program also came from City of Vernon and local youth who volunteered to help pack the backpacks, and Lisa Gallie, from Big Sun Beachwear and Tanning, who provided backpacks.