First of all does anyone out there know of KAPS? Because I was in the mall this afternoon and someone mentioned to me that they are giving out Backpacks for school. What is KAPS and second I noticed this past weekend that this was a heated posting. So it sounds like everyone is getting into the picture. How come these groups do not work together in this here town. Shit it will be like Christmas for a few people.
KAPS stands for Kaien Anti-Poverty Society, there are a group that assists with clothing, furniture etc., but I had no idea they were also supplying school supplies. There won’t be anything left in the stores for those that will have to buy their stuff !! I am sure there are probably other service providers and/or groups that may be aiding the cause also. It is a great idea but it would be nice and possibly more effective and fair if the groups did work together so there is no abuse of the donations. I know where I work, my clients have been asking since July when the backpack giveaway would be…
Unfortunately when anything is free… there will always be abuse of the system. It will happen for sure, but it would be cool to see everyone working together for it as well… but every society receives it’s own money for their projects, and can’t merge with others.
Oh come on - nothing left in the stores? Buy the basic stuff early, or wait until you get the list from school that tells what your child will need. If a kid happens to have to go to school for a bit before getting a backpack because someone ‘bought up all the supplies’ for need families, so be it! Of course there are going to be those that take advantage of it - we don’t live in the utopia of Star Trek. We can’t let a few bad apples to stop us from doing good things, then we would just be a bunch of idiots saying “This one time, I gave a backpack and it went to someone who totally didn’t need it, so I’m never helping anyone EVER AGAIN.” 
If stocks do get low here, I’m sure all of you know SOMEONE that will be going to Terrace before school starts, so ask them to pick you up some school supplies - yeesh - it’s not like it’s rocket science.
This was in the paper last week - looks like there are groups working together…
maybe the casino will put vouchers if the backpacks since most of the people getting them couldve not gone to the casino a few days and bought their own backpack
Has Rupert fallen so economically low that we cant even have school supplies there? I remember the old days where Wilara and MacLean and Rudderham had everything and then some…
Sad…
How does this get so messy, KAPs whoever and whatever they are, S&A but nobody seems to know what you are anymore, do you have soup kitchen? then stick to that. Do you have a food outlet? then stay with that. It looks to me like someone here is not into working together. Whatever happened with a thing called community spirit why do power hungry outfits spoil it all. Come on children get together. Leave schools to decide for schools supplies.
The SA has been handing out backpacks to school ages kids for about 4 yrs know and this is the first year anybody has even complained, the last couple yrs KAPS was involved but i see they going out on there own, but other club are helping with this, U dont see to know much about the Salvation Army Leonard
Oh I know Sally Anne very well and have had much respect for the ones I have been to in Canada. Enjoyed them doing the street music in some towns and cities.Now I have been to the soup kitchen and noticed a guy running the kitchen who I met on the street drunk around when I moved here a while back. I know this thing called S&A but more in the big cities. I will say no more because I respect this HTMF.
If I may venture to say, I think that some people are upset as they know this and the other good programs will be and always are abused to some degree. If in a idealic situation, you have only, for argument sake, 10 out of the three hundred backpack giveaways from SA, donated to families who go out and sell them, and yes, I know for a fact this is true and happens every year, then there are 10 families who in legitimate need may miss out. There is no way around this abuse, if it is a first come, first serve basis, unfortunately this will continue to happen. I haven’t any solution to this problem, I think it is very sad that we have to be so cynical now of every program with free giveaways for those that do need it. Some folks in town, I know, are tired of the abuse of these services and will no longer donate but it is for the children and is a whole other topic as to why these “10” abusive parents feel it is their right to be given these items where it is not. It is a priviledge and should be treated as such. I think there maybe should be more accountability on everyones’ part , the donors and the recipients and until that is figured out, this will continue.
The same “10” will also be wandering up to KAPS and wherever else they can find a freebie and it is getting really annoying and upsetting to quite a few people. To see this and to see them shopping in the mall and buying lotto tickets. They have no shame and I wonder what kind of example is this setting for their kids. That it is OK to just wait in line as there will always be someone out there to give you a handout. I feel sorry for the “10” that won’t get a chance as they are too proud to stick out their hand and will sacrifice for the sake of their family. At least they can have respect for themselves.There is more than “10” I’m sure but I know you are being diplomatic and why is it always the same families that receive the goods first? They are bleeding SA and others dry.
yes yes that is so TRUE !!! I have seen it I had gotten backpacks from KAPS once and had been there when someone had come in and said there backpacks were stolen so they got another one.
That, sadly, is the standard “line” given to our service providers and although I know we have a problem with theft in Rupert, I highly doubt it happens on such a constant basis. And there is nothing that can be said about that either, they are indeed, just handed another. Like I have always said, if some of these people who are abusing these services put as much of that energy, resourcefulness and effort into transforming their lives, think how better off they would be. It will always happen though, that is just the way life seems to be.
KAPS had a rough go at it from the beginning, they are using grant money for thes backpacks with good intentions but will be taken for a ride with the more then ten clingons. I think someone should monitor how they are given away and to who. They should share names with all the others who are competing in this. But knowing the S&A leaders will not want to play it that way, the two captains and that little person who hangs close to them will do it ther way. We have watched them when my girlfriend and I go to the thrift store. Money will be wasted once again as it did last year. Its another look what we did thing . The school board should be the only ones doing this service, no so called church an the KAP people should continue with what they do best serve the people. Maybe its why they have high price on stuff in the thrift store make up loss.
I will agree with your comment Spider regarding the School Board handling the backpack program, with no disrespect intended to KAPS or the SA but I think that would allow everyone, not the same people every year, to have their chance at the donations. Is there any way, possibly next year, that this could be organized or is there some kind of red tape that would be involved ? The teachers have first hand knowledge as to who is in need of these donations and could supervise it fairly . Maybe the community would be more inclined to donate if this were the case. Is this a good idea or no ?
I think that would be a good idea for the students. Abuse of the program would be stopped and the donations from the people would not have been in vain. Why is it that the same families get first dibs every year ? I have known people who sell them too or get them from the church and throw all the pencils and stuff away. What’s the point in that? Give the program to the schools and let them decide who is in need instead of the first come,first serve.
Alot of the times people get these freebies it’s because their social worker has referred them etc. and usually the working poor get left out…as someone else pointed out, people on welfare with school aged children get extra $ for supplies in their August cheque…
Now personally, I would like to see these non- profits work together to get a hot lunch program available to children in Rupert. What lunch program that is available (at my children’s school) is only for the kids who - again, are referred by a social worker.
I would gladly support a city wide hot lunch program for ALL children…
I wasn’t aware of this…Would that mean then that only children of families on social assistance are eligible for the school lunches as they would receive the referrals ? That is not fair and seems to discriminate against, as you said, the working poor, if this is the case. Would like more info on that program, if possible…I would certainly support a citywide hot lunch program for ALL children…
I am somewhat curious about these two names, Kaps and Sally Ann and I noticed that many people seem afraid to discuss them both it seems. It is as if they are controlled by some powerful beings and people fear them for whatever reason. Is it because one runs like a cult or a church? I do enjoy getting on here every once in a while because in my mind this HTMF seems to be a great outlet for people to open up or vent. I heard after my original question that KAPs give to the needie and try to meet the needs and I am fine with such a program, now Sally Ann it seems has a different road they travel in this town compared to what I have seen from other Sally Anns throughout the world. They seem very compassionate in other areas but here it seems that there is always a power play from what I hear and see. I have spoken with some who work in the thrift store and they have said that they fear being around the what you call captains, I have watched them getting into the whatever business world we have here in town and I keep hearing mixed emotions. I just seem to get confused why no body finds this all strange. But I am still new to this little town and I will just be silent for now and mind my own being. I do not wish to shake the bush, just curious. No harm ment to anyone just wondering out loud.
Until the Salvation Army stops discriminating due to sexual preference I won’t contribute. Simple. Though they do good work, they are still a discriminatory organization.