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SALEM - The Brightside Project will host its 4th annual Back-to-School Clothing and Shoe Voucher sign-ups for Salem City School District students heading into Preschool-9th grade this fall thanks to local support.
Contributions from the Salem Community Foundation and the Pearce Foundation will give Back-to-School assistance to Salem families with preschool to ninth-grade students in need. Additionally, Quaker City Eagles 316 will contribute funding to help families with 10th- to 12th-grade students which is an expansion from years past. The Brightside Project's Back-to-School Clothing and Shoe Voucher program will offer one voucher per qualifying Salem student to be redeemed for clothing items and shoes at Salem Walmart located at 2875 E. State St. To be eligible, students must be attending Salem Head Start, Reilly Preschool, Buckeye Elementary, Reilly Elementary, Southeast Elementary, Salem Jr. and Sr. High School or be receiving the EdChoice Scholarship at St. Paul School for the 2023-2024 school year.
"This financial support from the community is how we can help our Salem families offset the increased cost of Back-to-School needs while helping the students feel good about themselves on the first day of school," said Lisa Vittorio, co-director of The Brightside Project. "Meeting a child's basic needs is the starting point in building their self-confidence which contributes to their academic success and are building blocks to a positive future."
Vouchers for $55 per Head Start through third-grade student and $70 per 4th- to 9th-grade student will be distributed while supplies last. Families in need can sign-up at The Brightside Project located at 483 E. Pershing St., Tuesday, Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Aug. 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. Parent/guardian(s) must provide two proofs of being a Salem resident as well as each child's birth certificate. Children do not need to be present to receive a voucher.
In addition, The Brightside Project will be assisting students in need across Columbiana County with backpacks and school supplies during their August Food for Kids giveaways. Parents and guardians can bring their students, Preschool to 12th-grade, to the Aug. 3 and Aug. 17 events from 3 to 7 p.m. While children can attend both Food for Kids giveaways to receive food and personal care items, they will only receive a backpack filled with supplies during their first visit. For information or questions call 234-320-4005.