Head to Toe, Ready to Go Gives Families a One-Stop Shop for Back-to-School Essentials

Interviewed by WHIZ reporter Gabe Hutton

As a new school year approaches, many families are faced with the challenge of purchasing school supplies, clothing, and other essentials. The Head to Toe, Ready to Go event aimed to ease that burden by bringing everything together in one location for families in need.

The event, organized through a partnership between Eastside Community Ministry (ESCM) and several local organizations, combined resources that were previously offered through separate back-to-school events. Instead of making multiple trips on different days, families were able to schedule an arrival time and receive everything they needed in a single visit.

Jamie Trout, Executive Director of Eastside Community Ministry, said the idea had been in the works for several years after hearing from families about the difficulties of attending multiple events.

“We have been wanting to make this happen for several years now,” Trout said. “When you don’t really have transportation or you’re trying to get off work to get to the book bags one day and the clothes the next day, it’s a hardship on families. Year after year we kept hearing that, so we made it one day, one-stop shop. You can come and get what you need, and you’re ready to go for back to school.”

Each child who attended the event received a variety of items, including backpacks, shoes, school supplies, coloring books, and other essentials to help them start the school year prepared. Organizers said seeing the excitement on the children’s faces made months of planning worthwhile.

“There’s nothing like it,” Trout said. “You just have to experience it for yourself. Seeing kids come out so happy because they got blue shoes, their favorite color, or a school spirit shirt—there’s no greater feeling.”

Trout also emphasized that the event would not have been possible without the support of community partners who share the same commitment to helping local families.

“For Eastside, our ministry is to serve our neighbors in need,” Trout said. “To have partners like Lace Up for Kids, Tools for School, and the Kindergarten Celebration that have the same heartbeat for people—this would not be possible without them. Everything that happens today shows just how amazing our community is.”

Eastside Community Ministry is already preparing for its next community event, a Trunk or Treat celebration scheduled for October.