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As Canadians, we know winter wear is a necessity. But for low-income families or new Canadians, buying all that gear can be tough to afford. And the budget can get particularly stretched if children are involved.

Luckily, a Stoney Creek public school has adopted a program to help out.

Melissa Thomson and her husband just moved to Hamilton from Calgary after he was accepted to do his masters. Neither of them work full-time and money is scarce: “We live off of $40 dollars a week on groceries. and when you have two kids who eat a lot and you have Ambrose and I. It’s hard.”

Selena Bossom is a single mom with three young boys. She too is on a geared income. And when winter came early, neither family had enough money to dress their kids warmly: “I sent my boys to school with running shoes and their feet were soaked and I felt awful.”

This coat is $18, which might not seem like a lot but when you factor in a toque, gloves, snow pants and boots that could really add up. And if you’re like some low income families and have multiple kids in the same house, that’s a lot of money you might not have.

Luckily, their kid’s school, Lake Avenue in Stoney Creek, has donated winter clothes for parents to grab for their children. The school has a large number of students who come from low-income families or are new to Canada.

Thomson: “I’m still providing for them and doing the best that I can. Because I don’t want them to go to school cold.”

Bossom: “For people like me who can’t just wake up one morning and buy three of your kids brand new boots, it’s very good. I was very thankful.”

Dr. Anthony Lombardi and his partners have donated thousands of winter coats over the last decade, he’s trying to fix a growing trend: “There seems to be a greater need, specifically in the elementary schools in those surrounding area, even in the inner city, we really want to get the coats to the children that need them.”

Thanks to his efforts, families will be able to enjoy the holidays.

Thomson: “To be able to get things that are brand new for my kids or even used. It’s awesome because I don’t feel like I’m letting my kids down.”

Bossom: “It saves you a lot of money so Santa can be really good to your kids.”