Packing for success: Supporting students as they head back to school

August 21, 2025

Newmarket – The Regional Municipality of York and Housing York Inc., in partnership with the Town of Newmarket, is inviting media to an event where students will receive backpacks and school supplies through the Providing Instruments for Excellence (PIE) Education Program

When:

Friday, August 22, 2025
9 a.m.

Who:

  • Mayor John Taylor, Chair of Housing York Inc. (HYI), Town of Newmarket
  • Mayor Alex Nuttall, City of Barrie

Where:

Outdoor playground in Mulock Village
507 Needler Crescent
Town of Newmarket

Background:

  • Since 2010, Providing Instruments for Excellence (PIE) Education Program supports children by supplying students with the necessary materials for educational success, such as backpacks, pencil cases, paper, notebooks and pens; they are delivered to those in need through networks of community groups, social housing initiatives and government programs
  • Since 2010, PIE Education Program has provided over 27,500 backpacks to students in the GTA
  • This is the first year York Region and HYI have been involved in the initiative
  • Through partnerships with local agencies and municipalities, HYI helps residents access the resources they need to thrive, enhance community capacity and provide families with opportunities for success
  • As the largest community housing provider in York Region, HYI offers homes to more than 4,500 residents across 38 properties located in all nine local cities and towns
  • HYI is committed to fostering healthy communities so residents can continue to live work and age in the right place

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to 1.29 million residents and 57,000 businesses with approximately 624,000 employees. More information about York Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/RegionalServices

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Media Contact:

Tricia Wretham, Program Manager, Community and Health Services, The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 289-231-1732
@email