Love INC making going back to school more affordable
Love INC will host its 11th annual Back to School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Love Center Food Pantry near Millersburg, where kids can pick up backpacks, school supplies and more for $5.
The staff and volunteers at Love In the Name of Christ of Greater Holmes County won’t be heading back to school, but the one thing they want to make sure of is children who are heading back later this summer will have everything they need to succeed.
Love INC will host its 11th annual Back to School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Love Center Food Pantry near Millersburg.
The goal of the event is simple: to ensure every student has the supplies necessary to excel and succeed this school year.
The bash means Love INC can both serve students and families in Holmes County through the outreach ministry and make going back to school more affordable by providing necessary school supplies at a fraction of the cost for a family, especially families where parents are purchasing school material for multiple children.
“This is really important because getting the school year off to a good start is so good for kids, to feel prepared and know they have what they need,” new Love INC Executive Director Jordan Anderson said. “School supplies aren’t cheap, so they can come here and pick out everything they need without breaking the budget, especially for families with multiple children.”
The process for the event is simple. Families with children heading back to school may shop at the center for $5 per student, picking out all of the specific items needed for their school year.
“Students can pick out the items they need for their class and choose the styles and colors they like,” Anderson said. “It’s neat to see all of the kids’ excitement, and this is making going back to school more affordable.”
While the cost of purchasing school supplies may not make a big dent in some family budgets, other households will feel the crunch of forking out $50 or more to purchase school supplies.
All students in the Holmes County school districts are invited to come and shop at the event, where they can find pretty much any items needed for the new school year.
The event is cash only, and they have created a new setup, hoping to shorten the wait time for families who come to shop.
All the school items will be available for a child to add to their list of school supplies, from new book bags to everything else one might find in a desk, whether it’s pre-K or a senior in high school.
Last year saw 351 youth come in to take advantage of these savings, and Anderson said they hope they see even more this year.
Love INC has worked with local schools to gain insight into the various items needed at each grade level. It also has partnered with many churches and individuals who have donated school items and money to purchase items.
“It’s inspiring to see the way this community gets behind this event,” Anderson said. “They understand the importance of helping families. Our volunteers are an amazing part of this story.”
In addition to the school supplies, there will be new socks and underwear available for a donation of $1 per pack of five socks and $1 per pack of five underwear per student.
Other items available at no charge will include toothbrushes, deodorant, first-aid kits and other miscellaneous items, helping to ensure students have everything necessary to hit the ground running when the school bell rings on the first day of school.
If there is any down time waiting to secure their supplies, Love INC has created a perfect distraction, that being a visit from some furry friends and their handlers.
“Caring Canines Therapy Dogs will be on hand so the kids can enjoy the dogs if they do have to wait,” Anderson said. “The kids really love that.”
Holmes Fire District #1 and Millersburg Police Department also will host a Touch-A-Truck and will have their trucks and cruisers for the students to enjoy. Frog Pond and the Girl Scouts of America also will be on hand to add to the festivities.
The Love INC/Love Center Food Pantry building is located at 1291 Massillon Road, just north of Millersburg.