New books, sharp stationery, and pristine pencil cases - preparing for the school year might be a time of academic anticipation for many children and parents, but for a growing number of Nelson families, it's nothing but stress.
Charitable Trust KidsCan is set to assist a further 17 low decile schools, providing 1500 children with food, raincoats, shoes and basic health and hygiene items.
Jay and Sarah, from My Kitchen Rules, are joining KidsCan as ambassadors to help support Kiwi families in need. Many children living in hardship experience hunger on a daily basis, never knowing if they will receive three meals a day.
It isn't just children's minds that are being encouraged to grow at Avon Primary School in Stratford, but also 58 trees in the school's newlyplanted orchard.