Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry (TBOM) will be hosting our annual School Supplies Distribution on Saturday, August 3 from 11):00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Polk County Middle School cafeteria, located at 321 Wolverine Trail in Mill Spring NC.

To welcome the Back to School season, Outreach will have new school supplies and backpacks available for all eligible Polk County students (Pre-K – 12th grade). Children will choose their own backpack and will receive a package of school supplies customized specifically for the grade they’re entering when school starts on August 26.

To participate, qualified Polk County students must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and be residents of Polk County. All parents or guardians must present a valid photo ID. Eligible families should be clients of Outreach and / or participate in a government assistance program(s) such as SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, foster care, free or reduced lunch or any program offered by WCCA or Steps to Hope.

In addition to new school supplies and backpacks, there will be many other important attractions:

• MANNA Foodbank is bringing a truck full of fresh fruits and vegetables to give away to residents of Polk County. The free fruit and vegetable giveaway will be set up in the bus parking lot, located on right hand side of the school. 
• Free haircuts will be offered.
• Tryon United Methodist Church will host a coat giveaway to help students get ready for the colder months ahead.
• The Lions Club will be conducting vision screenings and Blue Ridge Health will be on hand to take blood pressure readings and provide glucose testing.
• First Staffing, NC Works and Hire Dynamics will be on site taking job applications.
• At the Community Resource and Health Fair, over twenty-five local agencies and clinics will be greeting families to share information about the services they provide.

341 Polk County students benefited from 2018’s school supply distribution and Outreach expects at least that many to participate this year.

TBOM is grateful for the outpouring of community support for the school supplies program. Special heartfelt thanks to Tryon United Methodist Church (TUMC) for their partnership this year. All the work contributed by TUMC volunteers to prepare for this event is greatly appreciated.

If you would like to help with the 2020 School Supplies Distribution, please contact TBOM 828-894-2988 or visit our website www.tboutreach.org to learn how to get involved.

TBOM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has served Polk County residents for twenty-five years.  The organization’s mission is to provide compassionate assistance to Polk County residents who are unable to provide for their basic life needs. For more info, visit www.tboutreach.org.

 

Submitted by Margot Carter