This year’s Twin Rivers Back to School Fair will look different to keep the students and volunteers safe, but they still need help.
Board member and organizer Donna Sue Ashcraft-Fincher said it will be a drive-thru for families to pick up school supplies from 1-5 p.m. Aug. 5. It is open to any student within the district.
She said this year they won’t offer any physicals or haircuts. Families are to remain in their cars, and volunteers will bring out supplies outside of the band room. The event services about 600 students.
“They will be no physical contact whatsoever this year,” she said. “I don’t think we need to have a bunch of kids (together) in case something happens, and somebody gets sick.”
Ashcraft-Fincher said they won’t distribute backpacks this year because of short supplies.
They used some funds normally saved for the back-to-school fair when the district closed early because of COVID-19 and offered distance learning options, she said.
“They needed a lot of stuff,” she said. “I said, ‘It’s there, use it, but don’t waste it.’”
She said the fund is about $3,500 short compared to previous years.
There also likely won’t be vendors this year because of social distancing practices.
Ashcraft-Fincher said some vendors have offered supplies and money for the event. They can come out and set up if they’d like to, she said, but they’d be outside.
Ashcraft-Fincher said she’s still looking for volunteers to help run supplies out to cars, along with either supplies or money to buy it.
Some big needs are three-ring binders and three-prong folders, along with pens and pencils.
She will save any supplies not used this year for next year’s event.
Ashcraft-Fincher said anybody with questions or donations for the event can call her at 573-429-4180.