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Hundreds of families receive free school supplies at an Athens giveaway
By: Lucy Schaefer
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Hundreds of families were able to save money and get free school supplies at a back to school event on Saturday.
The Southeast Ohio Rainbow Alliance gave away free backpacks and other supplies to over 300 families ahead of the school year.
The goal is to help people who have trouble affording those items.
Glouster resident and parent Katherine Birchfield said the event makes the transition into school easier.
“Not everybody has money and not everybody can go and just get everything for their kids,” Birchfield said.
Rainbow Alliance Communications Director Lacey East said the event has come a long way since it started three years ago.
“Every year it just gets better and better,” East said. “We’re learning as we go and as we grow.”
The Rainbow Alliance is working to grow even more with a sponsor-a-child program. East said the idea is for the community to make donations for a child that results in a full bag of supplies.
She said the organization is still smoothing out the details but looks forward to incorporating it into next year’s event.
Birchfield said the community is behind the effort.
“Keep doing what you’re doing. Do this every year because we greatly appreciate it,” Birchfield said.
The Rainbow Alliance will release information about upcoming events on its Facebook page and website.