Associate Pastor Ben Cope, right, and his wife, Kelly, assist patrons lined up in the lobby of Abundant Life Fellowship to register for school supplies during last year’s August Overflow community outreach event. This year’s Overflow is scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 5. For questions, call 330-457-7317. (Submitted photo)

NEW WATERFORD – For the 15th consecutive year, Abundant Life Fellowship, 46469 state Route 46, is once again sponsoring August Overflow, a one-day community outreach event with distribution of school supplies, clothing, food and more.

Senior Pastor Jeff Schoch, coordinator of the annual event, said August Overflow is scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 5. As usual, the event includes free distribution of school supplies, good clean used clothing, produce and baked goods and grill food and side dishes served on the premises. Also available are bounce houses, games and a barrel train ride for children.

School supplies are available first to students in the Beaver Local, Columbiana (including Heartland Christian), Crestview, East Palestine, Leetonia and Lisbon districts as well as those who attend any of the 4C’s (Crestview Churches Community Concerns) churches. Besides Abundant Life, those include East Fairfield and New Waterford United Methodist, Middleton Friends and Zion Lutheran.

Families will register for the school supplies when they arrive on a first-come, first served basis. As in the past, each student will be given tickets to select the specific school items needed. Typically, more than 325 students have received goods. Students do not necessarily need to be present, though parents are asked to bring the most recent report card for each child and a driver’s license to show proof of residency. No school supplies will be distributed after the event is over.

August Overflow is funded through the church and through business and personal sponsors. Major sponsors this year include the Columbiana Community Foundation, NDC Heating and Cooling of New Waterford, Dynamic Structures of New Waterford, A Plus Powder Coaters of Columbiana, Graft Electric of Columbiana, Family Care Services of Columbiana, East Palestine and Leetonia, and The Handel2 Group financial services of Boardman. In addition the Way Station of Columbiana helps by providing clothing; Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley provides produce and pastries; and Upper Room Fellowship of Columbiana contributes student hygiene gift bags.

Any business or individual who would like to contribute can send a check to the church and be included in a trifold color brochure distributed to all participants the day of the event.

August Overflow started in 2009, a year after Schoch joined the staff at Abundant Life as senior pastor and functions with the assistance of many volunteers. Abundant Life Fellowship is an independent non-denominational church. Sunday services start at 10:30 a.m. Doors open at 9 a.m. for corporate and personal prayer in the sanctuary. Any questions about Overflow or the church can be answered during weekday office hours from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 330-457-7317.