Steel workers help kids get ready for school

Members of the steel industry in Hamilton are doing what they can to help families feeling the financial strains as kids return to school.

ArcelorMittal employees and members of local unions have been raising money all summer to buy backpacks for inner city kids. Each backpack has been filled with school supplies and will be distributed to students throughout the lower city.

“What we’ve done actually the last three years is we have tried to address a need in the community and that is to provide full backpacks to inner city children who might not otherwise have the supplies they need to start the school year,” says Sandra Cabral of ArcelorMittal.

Darren Green, President of Hamilton Steelworkers Area Council says he knows the struggle many families face.

“It’s an effort that shouldn’t be underestimated. I live in the inner city myself and I know the needs of the families that are there. The working poor are people holding down two and three jobs to try to make ends meet, and any help that they can get is good.”

Backpacks were handed out today to 650 kids in the Hamilton area.