The First United Methodist Church of Vandalia will host their 3rd annual “Backpack 2 School” event this afternoon from 4 pm to 6 pm at the Family Life Center at 4th and Main Streets in Vandalia. Any school child, accompanied by a parent or guardian, will receive a free backpack with coupons and some free giveaways. High School Students do not need to be accompanied by parents. Sherry Schneider says this happens the day before Tools for School starts, and the programs are certainly meant to tie together.
The “Backpack 2 School” is also planned as a fun time, too, with games, activities, face painting, free hair cuts and refreshments. Also, two bicycles—one boys and one girls—will be given away along with many other prizes donated by local businesses.
Meanwhile, Tools for Schools gets rolling starting tomorrow. Tools for School, a program which provides free school supplies to Fayette County in-need students, PreKindergarten-Junior College, will be in operation on the following dates and times: Wednesday, Aug. 9, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday, Aug. 10, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Saturday, Aug. 12., 9 a.m. to noon. Please come to the North door of the First Presbyterian Church, 1221 W. Fillmore St., Vandalia. All students MUST accompany their parents or other adults to select their supplies. The facility is handicap accessible. For further questions, call the church office at 283-0937.