Students and families in remote, rural and regional parts of Australia – including those in the South East – will start the 2022 school year with a little extra support.

The Foundation for Regional Rural Renewal has combined with its donors, community foundations and groups to help distribute more than 15,700 Back to School vouchers.

The Stand Like Stone Foundation is one of four SA organisations distributing the vouchers and will allocate them to students in Allendale East, Beachport, Bordertown and Frances.

The $50 vouchers can be redeemed at select national retailers or local businesses for school essentials like uniforms, shoes, school bags or stationery.

Now in its 18th year, the program has worked with community organisations in rural communities to distribute more than $10.7m in vouchers and help in excess of 216,000 students and their families get what they need to start the school year on a positive note.

This includes families that have been impacted by natural disasters such as 2019-20 Black Summer Fires, flooding events, and the economic impact of the COVID pandemic.

FRRR’s general manager partnerships and services Sarah Matthee said the Back to School program continued to give a helping hand to rural families doing it tough.

“The unique aspect of the BTS program is that it taps into the deep understanding and the trusted relationships that local organisations have within their communities to ensure these vouchers go to families most in need of the support,” she said.

“For many rural families, schooling and finances continue to be impacted by the pandemic.

“Although fifty dollars may not seem much, that little bit of extra help can go towards easing their worries in some small way.”