School Supplies to be Given to Needy Children Tomorrow
Volunteers Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday packed nearly 480 backpacks for this weekend’s Back 2 School Bash in Ford City Memorial Park. (KP File Photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
Backpacks full of notebooks, colored pencils and other school supplies will be given out to hundreds of Armstrong County children this weekend.
The bags are annually given out during the annual Back 2 School Bash in Ford City Memorial Park, thanks to the New Life Center in Ford City and the Kittanning Salvation Army, but officials said more students this year are receiving donations than ever before.
New Life Center Senior Pastor Rev. Craig Riggle originally came up with the event. He said the idea came from an organization called Network of Hope, which also offers backpacks with school supplies to young students.
“Trying to have something fun for the community – (Former Salvation Army) Lieutenants Dave and Pam Rhodes were doing something similar and him and I got together and talked and thought it would be good if we joined forces,” Rev. Riggle said.
Outreach Coordinator Tara Garris said the New Life Center in Ford City held its own Back 2 School Bash for two years before asking the Kittanning Salvation Army to partner with them about six years ago.
“Each year has grown (more popular) – we have the most number of kids registered for (backpacks) this year,” Garris said.
Kittanning Salvation Army Lieutenant Amber Imhoff said the backpacks and school supplies will be packed age-appropriately to students entering from preschool through 12th grade.
“We have about 476 kids (receiving backpacks). We will do an additional 50 or 60 bags that we will give to places like CYS (Children, Youth and Family Services) and Family Psychological,” Lieutenant Amber said. “We try to give them enough basic supplies to start the first day of school or the first few months to get them going.”
Nearly 400 backpacks were packed by volunteers last August for the event.
“It’s always a blessing to be able to be a blessing to so many families in the community,” Rev. Riggle said.
As well as contributions from both organizations, Garris – a mother of two boys that will attend Freeport School District - said “plenty of donations from the community” also were given toward the cause.
The weekend remained the same, despite Armstrong School District schools not starting until September 8 in order to benefit Lenape Technical School and private school students. About 20 Lenape Tech students will be assisted with uniforms.
Salvation Army lieutenants will also be assisting students with back-to-school clothing and shoe shopping at the end of this month.
“The Bash accommodates kids from all over Armstrong County,” Lieutenant Amber said. “We’re really early for some of the kids and right-on-time for the other ones. For a lot of our families, $150 or even $100 for uniforms might be more than they can normally handle – especially if they have two or three kids.”
Even if families are not receiving the school supplies, Imhoff and Garris stressed that those in the community are still welcome to attend the many activities in Ford City Memorial Park from 12-4PM Saturday - which include Illusionist Tim Kutch, a rock wall, a signed Pittsburgh Steelers football from District Magisterial Judge Gary DeComo and free bicycle giveaways through the Ford City Police Department.
“It’s important for families to be able to have a fun family day that’s affordable for them,” Lieutenant Amber concluded. “All activities at the park are free.”
Ford City Police officers will continue giving out bicycles, helmets and checking for safety, but will not have their usual ride along the Armstrong Trail.
Borough Council authorized donating nearly $1.750 during Monday night’s regular meeting to be used to purchase bicycles as prizes Saturday.
Food, purchased by the New Life Center or donated by local pizza shops, will also be available for a quarter per item.
“We don’t make any money - we actually take a loss,” Garris said. “The money that is made from the food, half of it goes to the Salvation Army for their programs and the other half goes back into the community through a fund we have at the church for families that are struggling financially.”
Other free events offered will include science stations, face painting and free haircuts.
Local News | jweaver August 14, 2015
