ALLIANCE ‒ An annual back-to-school giveaway that draws hundreds of people from across the region will return Aug. 2 to Alliance Friends Church.
The 20th annual Alliance Area Back to School Community Outreach starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. The church is at 1307 W. State St.
The event has free backpacks and basic school supplies for students in all grades, including preschool and college, and in any school district in Ohio.
“We used to get people from Cleveland,” said Elizabeth Penird, one of the founders of the community outreach program and its lead organizer.
This year’s program also includes free lunch for those in attendance and free vision screenings for students from the local Walmart Vision Center, Penird said.
Penird said the event does not require any documentation to participate, and participants’ financial position doesn’t matter. “If you feel like you need it, you come and get it,” she said has been the mission.
“We want these kids to be successful and to start them off on a good foot,” Penird said. “As soon as they enter school, they’re ready. They got their supplies and backpack.”
Here’s are supplies you’ll get from the giveaway
Former classmates, Penird and Rev. Aaron Hill Sr. started the giveaway in 2005. Hill, a former sponsor, is no longer part of the event.
Penird, her husband and friends have been the primary organizers. After two decades, this will be her last as an organizer. She said others will assume the role.
The event involves more than 100 volunteers and has become fully funded by individual donations and group sponsorships within the past five years.
Penird said they have handed out more than 18,700 backpacks and supplies to students since 2005, and have 1,400 backpacks for this year’s event.
The students get to pick out their backpack.
Penird reminded participants that the giveaway is not a free-for-all or trick-or-treat type event. There are stations for each grade level, and a process to follow.
For example, there is a table for second-graders only. There also are tables for preschoolers, high school and college students.
The following are the basic schools supplies:
Penird said all students, including preschool, can pick out and take home a backpack.
Principals and superintendents are invited to attend to greet students
Penird said they invite principals and superintendents from area school districts to take part, so they can meet and greet students.
Rob Gress, superintendent for Alliance City Schools, said the district has been a proud of sponsor, praising the generosity and support from the Greater Alliance community.
“It’s not just about the donations,” Gress said. “It’s about rallying together to show support for our public schools and public school students and ensuring every student has what they need to learn the second they enter the buildings.”
Dan Swisher, superintendent of Marlington Local Schools, said the district has been an active with the giveaway since its inception. He described the event as “a great relief for families” and the “financial burdens” of school supplies.
He also said it allows his district to continue to have a collaborative relationship between church and schools.
In addition to Alliance City Schools, the following group sponsors for this year’s event are:
“I want to thank the sponsors,” Penird said. “We wouldn’t be able to do this without them.”
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Popular Alliance Area Back to School Community Outreach has free backpacks, supplies
Reporting by Benjamin Duer, Canton Repository / The Repository
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