SIKESTON - When you don't have much money, back to school sales don't help a whole lot.
That's why Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation in the area and the New Madrid County Family Resource Center are giving parents a little help with school supplies.
The annual Back To School Fair not only provides students in kindergarten through grade 12 with the basic school supplies they need, but it gives them and their parents important information about a variety of subjects.
The fairs will feature various booths on seat belt and school bus safety, information on lead poisoning, vision and hearing screenings, dental hygiene information and how to obtain a library card.
Fingerprinting will also be done for identification purposes which is vital in searching for missing children.
The Scott County DAEOC will host its Back to School Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 6 at Unity Baptist Church in Benton and Aug. 12 at the YMCA in Sikeston.
The Resource Center will host its Back to School Fair from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 13.
Other DAEOC-hosted Back To School Fairs are scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Community Building on Main Street in Gideon and again Aug. 15 at the Multipurpose Building on Highway 61 in Howardville.
"I feel the Back To School Fair is important because there are a lot of people who have trouble coming up with the money that it takes to buy all the school supplies that kids need for school today," said Mona Walls, client service representative for the New Madrid County DAEOC.
"Children are required to have certain materials for the new school year. Many of these families would not be able to provide their children with these items if it were not for the fair," added Lois Dirickson, client service representative for the Scott County DAEOC.
"Not only do their children benefit, but a financial burden is lifted from the parents," Dirickson noted. "Children who are able to start school with the basic supplies can then concentrate on their education and not be distracted by feeling inferior or different from the other students."
Once they've visited all the booths at the fair, children will receive a box of school supplies which will contain glue, scissors, Crayons, pencils, etc. Older students will be given essentials such as loose leaf notebook paper and ink pens.
"Even if parents have already bought the school supplies, they won't last all year so this way they'll have some to put back when they need it," noted Walls.
Approximately 450 children participated in DAEOC's Back To School Fairs last year. Dirickson attributed much of the fairs' success through the years to businesses, organizations and individuals who've donated money and supplies.
"Without the support of the community many low-income families would not receive this service," Dirickson said. "We hope that everyone who has participated in our Back To School Fair in the past has found them to be rewarding and has made their lives more pleasant. It truly gives us pleasure to see the smiles on the children's faces when they receive their school supplies."