SUMC Back to School Fair to be held August 12

“As I’m sure you know the need in our community is great, and this year, we are asking for even more financial/in-kind help as we expect to reach even more children in our community,” said Baugh in an announcement letter.

Organizer Dru Howard said the event is in its’ 23rd consecutive year.

“It’s been going on for a long time. The Methodist church has been involved with it in part for all 23 years, but sort of spearheading it in partnership was the South-Central Missouri Community Action Agency, since about 2010,” said Howard.

According to Howard, those in need are asked to pre-register, but nobody will be turned away if they arrive the day of the event. She said SCMCAA collects demographic information through the registration for the purpose of putting individuals into contact with other forms of assistance that may be available to them in Dent County.

“Information for registration is collected by [SCMCAA]. We encourage people to pre-register, it just kind of helps the flow of things. At the event, we won’t turn anyone away obviously, if they’re not pre-registered, they can show up the day of the event. They’ll register with SCMCAA, and then once they’ve done the registration process, they come inside, and each school age child is able to pick up a brand-new backpack, a packet of school supplies that is relevant to their age and grade they’re going into. They also will be given a new package of socks and underwear, and then we have several local vendors that show up and give out other school supplies or just fun things for the kids as they go through.”

Howard said that another organizer, Sarah Arnett with SCMCAA, had informed her that there is no prerequisite income level that qualifies or disqualifies individuals from receiving school supplies at the event.

“We won’t turn anyone away. (The event is for) any Dent County child,” said Howard.

Baugh said organizers could use either in-kind donations such as new, unopened packages of socks or underwear in a variety of sizes, children and adult; or cash donations. According to Baugh and Howard, cash donations are tax-deductible and allow organizers to purchase items in bulk.

“We are able to save significant dollars by making large purchases of items. We can make your dollars stretch by our bulk purchasing, however every donation, either in-kind or cash is greatly appreciated,” said Baugh in his letter. “The past several years churches and other organizations have collected items to contribute. I hope you will consider how best you can help make that first day of school special for a young person.”

Said Howard, “We won’t turn anything away. What we typically do is purchase in bulk, because we try to keep the packs of supplies kind of consistent for each grade level so that everybody gets the same, but we’ll have a table there with additional supplies that if kids need a specific something for their school, they can pick that up.”

In addition to the fair, organizers are hosting an all-you-can-eat catfish fundraising dinner from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, at the Salem United Methodist Church. Howard said there is a $14 minimum donation for the all-you-can-eat dinner, or $12 for a to-go box. She also said that they would accept donations above that amount from those who were so led.

In a Facebook post announcing the event, Howard said that those who need assistance with school supplies can call 729-3500 (Ext. 10) and ask for Sarah or Kaitlyn to set up an appointment to pre-register for the event. Parents are asked to bring Social Security cards or proof of existence for every member of the household. Families are asked to arrive in the correct time slot: Last names beginning with letters A-L are to arrive from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and letters M-Z are asked to arrive from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

According to Baugh, donations may be dropped off at the Salem United Methodist Church, and checks can be made out to Dent County Back to School Fair and mailed to 801 E. Scenic Rivers Boulevard, Salem MO 65560.