Back-to-School Bash planned for Jefferson County
Urban Mission to distribute 800 backpacks and other supplies
BACKPACKS AND MORE — Khyree Miller, 7, of Steubenville, visited the office of Urban Mission Ministries last week and checked out the merchandise that will be given away at the upcoming Back-to-School Bash, slated for Aug. 17. Miller has already selected the backpack he would choose at the event, as organizers predict approximately 800 students from throughout Jefferson County will attend. -- Julie Stenger
PLANNING — Officials who are working on the annual Back-to-School Bash at the Urban Mission Ministries have had their work cut out for them during the last few weeks. In addition to purchasing, sorting and packing backpacks with numerous amounts of school supplies, the organization is seeking donations in order to ensure there will be enough supplies for all students attending the event. Organizers noted there is still a need for items such as loose-leaf paper, markers, pens, pencils, Elmer’s glue bottles, crayons and two-pocket folders. Monetary contributions can be given to purchase the products, as well. During a meeting which involved an event schedule and a discussion regarding items still needed were, from left, Monica Miller, client services resource coordinator; Awtihana Smith, director of donor engagement; and Cythia Lytle, community engagement director. -- Julie Stenger
BACKPACKS AND MORE — Khyree Miller, 7, of Steubenville, visited the office of Urban Mission Ministries last week and checked out the merchandise that will be given away at the upcoming Back-to-School Bash, slated for Aug. 17. Miller has already selected the backpack he would choose at the event, as organizers predict approximately 800 students from throughout Jefferson County will attend. -- Julie Stenger
PLANNING — Officials who are working on the annual Back-to-School Bash at the Urban Mission Ministries have had their work cut out for them during the last few weeks. In addition to purchasing, sorting and packing backpacks with numerous amounts of school supplies, the organization is seeking donations in order to ensure there will be enough supplies for all students attending the event. Organizers noted there is still a need for items such as loose-leaf paper, markers, pens, pencils, Elmer’s glue bottles, crayons and two-pocket folders. Monetary contributions can be given to purchase the products, as well. During a meeting which involved an event schedule and a discussion regarding items still needed were, from left, Monica Miller, client services resource coordinator; Awtihana Smith, director of donor engagement; and Cythia Lytle, community engagement director. -- Julie Stenger
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STEUBENVILLE -- Swimming pools and outdoor barbecues will soon be replaced with daily lessons and homework, as the beginning of a new school year is only a few weeks away.
Some parents have already begun their back-to-school shopping -- filling buggies with clothing, backpacks, lunchboxes and all of the staples required within the classroom. But not all parents are able to afford such a receipt's cost. And many children do, unfortunately, have to go without.
But thanks to those at the Urban Mission Ministries, help is about to arrive.
A Back-to-School Bash will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Seventh Street plaza's parking lot. Pupils and students in grades kindergarten through 12 will have the opportunity to attend the annual event with a parent. In turn, they will receive a backpack containing all of the basic supplies required by local school districts throughout the area.
According to Cynthia Lytle, director of programs and community engagement director, the Back-to-School Bash is an event which most parents are already familiar. The nonprofit agency has been holding the giveaway for a number of years and continues to do so because officials realize there is an ongoing need for assistance within the community.
Some residents rely solely on events such as this to be able to acquire those requested school supplies. Otherwise, there are some students who would not have anything upon returning to the classroom in the coming month.
Lytle explained the student must be present with a parent in order to receive a backpack. The bags come in various colors from which children can choose. Each contains the necessary materials area districts have requested.
She commented those at the Urban Mission tried to follow the lists local school districts have sent out for the upcoming year in order to ensure the students have what is needed when they return to the classroom.
"Although we weren't able to get all of the items the schools have asked for, we did get all of the basics," she said.
Items included in the backpacks are: Pencils, pens, colored pencils, a pencil pouch, glue, glue sticks, scissors, pocket folders, crayons, markers, notebooks and filler paper.
While those at the Urban Mission expressed they would like to do more to assist families with the school districts' requests, they are only able to provide the basic supplies at this time.
Supply lists often include asking households to purchase additional materials such as Kleenex, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer and baby wipes. However, it is not possible for the nonprofit agency to afford purchasing these household items as back-to-school merchandise.
In fact, the Jefferson County resource which so many people have come to depend upon -- whether it be food, shelter, clothing, furniture, senior services, employment opportunities or assistance with education, is currently struggling. And mission officials are seeking the community's help.
As Lytle discussed the upcoming event that will help students with their back-to-school needs, she made an appeal to anyone who can offer support to the Urban Mission.
Lytle said she is seeking either financial support toward purchasing additional supplies for the bash, as the agency has fallen short of its goal, or for donors to buy the actual supplies as a donation.
"We are planning to distribute 800 backpacks with supplies," she stated.
"Last year, we gave away 684 backpacks at the bash. And closer to the day of, the total was closer to 700, as there a few people who didn't get them at the event."
Lytle commented donations have already come in to the agency, as preparation for the bash begins the first couple weeks in July.
Officials noted the following is still needed: Pens and pencils; 303 packages of loose-leaf paper; 138 packages of markers; Elmer's glue bottles; crayons and two-pocket folders.
"If anyone is able to make a contribution of these items so we can meet our goal of 800 backpacks, we would be exceptionally grateful for the help," Lytle said.
She added there are other ways in which the community can get involved and donate toward the bash if they are unable to donate monetarily.
"There is an opportunity for the community to get involved," she explained. "People can help out the day of the event or they can help with preparations prior to the day of the bash."
"We encourage people to call us and see what is needed," Lytle added.
Those wanting to volunteer their time or who would like information, can contact the mission at (740) 282-8010.
In addition to the backpack and supplies giveaway, the bash will feature local businesses and agencies who will have tables set up throughout the lot.
These resources will have informational booths and other types of giveaways, Lytle said.
She stated the Steubenville High School marching band, under the direction of Rosalind Thacker, will open up the event.
"It is always a treat for the Big Red marching band to kick us off," Lytle said. "We are really looking forward to a great event that will help many local kids when they return to school."
A recent Gallup poll showed 68 percent of Americans will seek financial assistance for back-to-school purchases such as backpacks and basic supplies. Another 57 percent will seek financial assistance for clothing or school uniforms.
In 2023, the total back-to-school spending in the United States will have come to $41.5 billion. Per family, Americans spend approximately $890, according to Statista.com.
Statistics from savings.com shows that 54 percent of parents are concerned inflation will impact their ability to buy all of the supplies their child needs this year.
This is an increase of nine percent in 2022.
A survey of 2,000 parents with school-age students between the ages of 5 and 18 found that half of those surveyed plan to save as much money as possible.
Of those surveyed, 44 percent will be purchasing second-hand items for the school year and 38 percent will reuse their school supplies from last year.
Forty-three percent will skip buying some of the supplies on the supply list, the survey stated.