Tools for School Prepares 1,000 Backpacks

ZANESVILLE, OH – As the new school year gets closer, one Muskingum County program is making sure students head back to class with everything they need.

Over 900 backpacks filled with pencils, notebooks, folders, and more are ready to be handed out thanks to Eastside Community Ministry’s Tools for School program. Volunteers spent the past two days packing around 1,000 backpacks to help local students start the school year prepared.

“Tools for School is important because we want every child to start school successful. As school supplies continue to increase, and there’s more of a need, we want to make sure that every student in Muskingum County is going to school ready and excited to start the school year with a new bookbag filled with new supplies.” Caitlynn Boothe, the Tools for School Co-chair, said.

The annual program is made possible through donations from the community, with volunteers working together to sort supplies and pack bags before Saturday’s giveaway.

“We couldn’t do this without the community. We have had so many community donations, we’ve even has some brought in today to fill these backpacks. We’re so fortunate for the amount of volunteers that are here to pack. This couldn’t be done without them. 1,000 bookbags is a lot to get through, and they make sure that we have the tools for the program.” Boothe said.

Backpack pickup is set for Saturday, August 1st, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Zanesville Middle school for students who signed up in advance.

For more information about the Tools for Schools program or how to register for next year’s giveaway, visit Eastside Community Ministry’s website or Facebook page.

Eastside Community Ministry – Zanesville Ohio – Muskingum County