Free school supply fair serves hundreds of children
The Cameron YMCA hosted a back to school fair last Thursday, providing school supplies to hundreds of needy children.
Just in time for the new school year, the back to school fair sponsored by Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph provided backpacks, notebooks and a variety of other school supplies with hundreds of children filling the YMCA skating rink before the halfway point of the event.
“There are a lot of low-income families that have trouble getting school supplies for their children,” Hope Corson, back to school fair organizer, said. “It’s been going on for a very long time, but the last couple of years I’ve helped organize it … A lot of it is donations that come through Dollar Tree through Operation Homefront. There were also lots of money donations from some of our local businesses and organizations in Cameron as well.”
During the event, representatives from the Cameron Lions Club, YMCA, Cameron Public Library, Missouri Department of Conservation and various other organizations helped distribute pencils, notebooks and other items on the Cameron School District supply list with children filling their bags as they pass by each booth. Although geared to assist those in poverty, Corson said she refused to turn anyone away often serving those suffering moderate to slight financial hardships.
“I can automatically determine if they qualify, but even if they don’t, I wouldn’t turn anyone away,” Corson said. “… They can always get a hold of me at my office. They can call me at the St. Joseph office and we can set up an appointment to meet at the Cameron office.”
Corson said those who could not attend the Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph Back to School Fair can still receive school supplies. To set up an appointment to receive school supplies, call (816) 233-8281, ext. 114.
As a parent herself, Corson said one of the greatest parts of the fair is watching children walk away with a sense of pride – often wearing the backpack they just received.
“It feels amazing. I know they are going to be prepared when they go to school. It gives them a lot of pride,” Corson said. “They are going into school with a new backpack and school supplies and not the ones they were using last year or the year before. I have kids and my kids don’t want to use the same thing over and over. That’s why it’s amazing to do something like this. Those kids don’t have to feel like they’re using used items.”
