Surrey mayor and firefighters donate $10K in supplies to schools facing paper shortages amid growing concerns over education funding.
In a city known for its rapid growth and rising population, a shortage of basic classroom supplies has revealed deeper cracks in the education system. On Tuesday, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and the Surrey Fire Fighters Association donated $10,000 worth of essential paper products—including printer paper and paper towels—to local schools struggling to meet their most fundamental needs.
A Community Answers the Call
Following distressing reports from parents and teachers about shortages at schools like Ellendale Elementary, local leadership decided to intervene. During a visit to the Surrey Teachers’ Association (STA) office, the mayor and firefighters personally delivered $5,000 in printer paper and $5,000 in paper towels.
“These gifts are deeply appreciated, but the fact that they’re needed at all should sound alarm bells,” said Angela Marcakis, first vice-president of the STA.
Teachers Rationing Paper, Sharing Towels
The situation on the ground is stark. According to STA representatives, 46 schools have reported low or no paper. Teachers have resorted to rationing—each given only a single bundle for the entire school year. In some cases, classrooms have been forced to share one cloth towel among 20 to 30 students, a practice Marcakis called “unsafe and unacceptable.”
Locke: “Glad to Help, Sad It’s Needed”
Mayor Locke expressed mixed emotions. “I’m so glad we can do this, but I’m so sad that we have to,” she said. With parents and educators sounding the alarm, Locke collaborated with the firefighters’ charity to coordinate immediate relief.
“It felt like the right thing to do. This may seem small, but in the classroom, it’s a big challenge,” she noted. Locke emphasized the need for long-term solutions, particularly as Surrey’s population nears the one million mark.
From Paper to Laptops: Bridging More Gaps
The donation effort didn’t stop there. Locke and firefighters also delivered refurbished laptops to a local high school. The STA confirmed that five North Surrey schools would receive paper supplies as a priority, with extra inventory held at their office for broader distribution.
A Symptom of Larger Funding Issues
Both Locke and the STA placed blame squarely on provincial underfunding, stating that schools are being forced to rely on donations for basic necessities. “Funding should reflect the actual needs of our students,” said Marcakis. “We’re deeply grateful, but these shouldn’t be gaps that communities need to fill.”
Firefighters Association President Saverio Lattanzio echoed this sentiment: “We saw a need and so we helped. It’s about ensuring youth have what they need to succeed.”
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