Planning is underway for the tenth annual Polk County Back to School Extravaganza, a charitable event that provides Polk County K-12 students with school supplies and other needed products. This year’s drive-through event is from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday, August 5, on the Bolivar High School campus, located at 1401 Highway D in Bolivar.
Spearheaded by Bolivar’s Open Hearts United Methodist Church, the extravaganza unites churches, businesses, organizations and individuals to provide backpacks, school supplies, hygiene products, socks, undergarments and more to Polk County K-12 students free of charge.
Donations of supplies and money are being accepted now. Organizers say even more school supplies will be distributed than in past years.
The drive-through style of distribution will be adapted this year with two pick-up lanes.
“Families said they liked the ease of driving through and receiving supplies in their cars,” says coordinator Kathy Drake. “So, to reduce wait time, we’ll have two distribution lanes that should help expedite pick-up. The drive-through does make it easier for parents with small children or several children when they can remain in their car.”
Drake does remind parents and guardians that even though the drive-through set-up allows all to stay in their vehicles, each student receiving supplies must be in the vehicle.
“It’s amazing how so many people from our county work together to help our students get a positive start back to school,” says Drake. “We want our kids excited about going to school. It’s a huge effort, and it takes lots of volunteers, lots of money and lots of supplies to make it happen. But it’s so worth it to support our kids, families and schools.”
In addition to school supply donations, monetary donations go far in making this event happen, Drake adds.
“Thankfully, we can pool our purchasing power and get more for our dollars when it comes to certain supplies, especially hygiene products,” Drake says. “If anyone is not sure what to purchase, or doesn’t have the time to shop, their monetary donations will be used wisely.”
To make donations, to volunteer or for more information, contact the church at 326-4885. Donations may also be dropped off at the Open Hearts Bolivar United Methodist Church, 105. E. Division, Bolivar.
