Students in need are ready for school thanks to a community effort

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Tools for Schools Program, organized by Eastside Community Ministry, is helping students in Muskingum County get ready for the upcoming school year.

The program collects school supplies through donation and fills backpacks students. The program aims to benefit first through twelfth grade students in low income households. Volunteers have spent the last two days preparing backpack and excited families got to pick up their supplies today at Zanesville High School. This year the program has packed 945 bags for students according the the co-chair of the program, Betty Caw.

“The importance of the Tools for Schools Program is just to provide the opportunity for the less fortunate students in Muskingum County to start the school year like everybody else starts. With a new bag and new supplies and just so they feel a part,” Caw said.

On top of the community’s support in the form of donations, Tools for Schools saw volunteers from Day Break Rotary Club, Park National Bank, Community Bank, and Delta Kappa Gamma. The latter of which is an organization of women educators.

“Really we would just like to thank the volunteers and thank everybody in the community who either donated money or their time or supplies to help us be able to provide these 945 book bags to students in Muskingum County,” Caw said.

Today’s distribution is the end of the program for this year but you can visit EastsideMinistry.org or visit the Eastside Community Ministry’s Facebook page for more information about how to sign-up or help next year.