Brightside Project’s back-to-school giveaway brings large turnout

SALEM, Ohio (WKBN) – There was a big turnout Tuesday in Columbiana County for the Brightside Project, which is helping families with back-to-school needs.

The line started at 6:30 a.m. for those in the Salem School District who wanted vouchers for free clothing and shoes.

“Families are just getting by. When you have to choose to put food on the table and feed your family or buy them new shoes or school clothes, the answer is obvious — you’re going to feed them,” said Lisa Vittorio, with the Brightside Project.

Because the money to pay for the vouchers came from the local Community and Pierce foundations, directors were only able to help families in the Salem City School District. But this year, the program was expanded to include students in all grades.

“This program alone, just for Salem students preschool through 12th grade, is about a $30,000 to $40,000 program,” Vittorio said.

Scott Lewis with the Brightside Project said this is the first time some families have needed help.

“We’ve had folks say to me, parents say, ‘We’ve never gotten help before, but we’re really struggling and need it. We thank you for that help,'” Lewis said.

Those with vouchers could shop at the local Walmart and then go to the service desk where they received a gift card to pay for the purchases.

Besides the vouchers, workers are passing out new kids’ shoes donated through Ohio’s Operation Warm program which provided Brightside with 700 pairs. Later this week, they’ll be giving away school backpacks and bags of food to help families stretch their budgets even further.

“Just the fact that we’re able to help them just a little bit with some money to go towards clothes and shoes. It really does ignite a gratitude within the adults that we don’t see all the time,” Vittorio said.

Those signing up must bring two forms of residency and proof of birth for each child (children don’t need to be in attendance to receive a voucher). Sign-ups are happening again Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Brightside office on East Pershing Street.

The giveaway is open to children enrolled in Salem Head Start, Reilly Preschool, St. Paul’s (receiving the EdChoice Scholarship), Buckeye Elementary, Southeast Elementary, Junior High, or Senior High School for the 2024-2025 school year.

From 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1 and Thursday, Aug. 15, the Brightside Project will also be giving away backpacks filled with school supplies and food. These events are open to all preschool through 12th-grade students in Columbiana and rural Mahoning County.

Children must be present to participate and can attend both events for food but will only receive one backpack.

For more information about these programs, please www.brightsideprojectohio.org or
call 234-320-4005.

Chelsea Simeon contributed to this report.

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