Grassroots back-to-school drive gives to Montreal families in need [Video]

Carolyn Bouchard-MacNeil is a mother of three and has run a toy drive for over 20 years, donating gifts for children and women in over 70 shelters.

The Carolyn’s Community toy drive has expanded to coat and food collections over the winter holidays, as well as back-to-school collections.

Bouchard-MacNeil spoke to CTV News anchor Caroline Van Vlaardingen about this year’s drive.

Watch the full interview above. Some comments have been edited for grammar or time.

Caroline Van Vlaardingen: Carolyn, the last time I met you, you were gathering toys for kids over the holidays, and now you’re gathering school supplies.

Carolyn Bouchard-MacNeil: We started our backpack collection about four years ago, just after COVID-19 hit, to help families in need in the community.

Van Vlaardingen: What have you been doing over those four years? Is this happening just at this time of the year, or do you gather things all year round?

Bouchard-MacNeil: …