“Kids In Crisis will center distribution of our school supply vouchers and book bags around families qualifying for free and reduced lunches,” said June DeWeese, KIC coordinator. “Forms are available at the HOPE Center, and Food and Clothing Bank in Abilene and Family Resource Exchange in Herington that parents can complete before Aug. 7 and bring to Abilene for the Back-to-School Fair. Parents must remember that copies of letters from the schools proving their children qualify for free or reduced lunches must be attached to each application for free supplies. Vouchers for $15 will be available for free-lunch recipients and vouchers for $10 will go to reduced-lunch children with all receiving free backpacks.”
Children attending the Back To School Fair will either qualify for the voucher and book bag from Kids In Crisis or will be able to receive an age appropriate school supplies pack while supplies last.
Free school supplies for all income levels will be available from many of the booths as long as supplies last.
People living in southeast Dickinson County can receive a free ride at 8 or 9 a.m. to the Back-to-School Fair in Abilene by meeting the OCCK bus in Herington. Riders must pre-register by calling 785-200-4619 and leaving a message that they want to ride, and then meet the bus outside of Family Resource Exchange, 715 S. Broadway, Herington.
Donation boxes will be available for anyone wanting to donate school supplies. Donations may be dropped off July 21-July 30 at Abilene Rent-All and Sales, Abilene Community Center, and the Abilene Public Library. Individuals who would like to donate a monetary gift may send it to the Quality of Life Coalition.