Voluntary Action Center hosts annual Back to School Program with changes
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Voluntary Action Center started its Back to School Program on Monday which provides school supplies to students in need in the Boone County area.
This will be the first year the VAC will distribute backpacks filled with essential school supplies for several weeks. Instead of a one-day resource fair they have previously held, this event will be open until August 30.
VAC marketing coordinator, Rachel McCain, is excited about the change.
"The changes that we're making actually meet the needs of the people that we serve in a better capacity, and I'm looking forward to seeing how how many we can serve," McCain said.
When calculating the prices of school supply lists from three separate schools in Boone County, the total cost of school supplies can become quite expensive. In elementary school alone, the average price per child ranged from $33.50 to $76.75 for k-1st grade $56 to $81 second through third, and $48.50 to $78.87 fourth through fifth. And this is not including extra fees for new clothes or electronics.
"The back to school season in general can get expensive, especially if you've got multiple kids," McCain said. "So this program allows us to meet one of those needs and ensures that all Boone County kids are set up and ready to go."
Families who are eligible for the program are Boone County residents with children entering Kindergarten through the 12th grade. Parents must also meet the income criteria of 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Families who participate in the VAC program are also given a voucher to The Wardrobe, a local second hand store who partners with VAC. Here, families are able to shop for free clothing on select days. The Wardrobe also has a deal every six months where guardians can purchase a $40 shoe carnival voucher for only $5, helping ease the cost of new shoes for their children.
Eligible families can visit or call the VAC office.
To support or donate to VAC, donors are encouraged to check out VAC's website or drop off non-perishable items at their food pantry.
