Families given HOPE ahead of new school year

ESCANABA, Mich. (WJMN) — August marks the start of back-to-school season, and a group in Delta County is on a mission to send kids to class on the right foot. August 4 at the Ruth Butler building at the U.P. State fairgrounds, Mission of HOPE Delta County will hold its largest ever new shoes and school supplies event for families in need.

Now in its 6 ^th year, the organization annually helps thousands of local children get the supplies and the confidence to start the school year right.

This year, Mission of HOPE will give away new shoes, backpacks, school supplies, hygiene products, household products, diapers, formula, first aid kits and more. Family photos will be provided, as well as haircuts, eye screenings and fluoride provided by Smiles on Wheels.

Mission of HOPE also serves a meal to those in attendance, and there is a kids’ zone for children to play during the event.

Director of Mission of HOPE Delta County, Paul Culbertson, says that as a kid who grew up without new shoes and school supplies himself, this mission is personal.

“To help families, to help kids have confidence…there’s just so much that this helps, and [our goal is that] we want every kid to believe that no matter where they come from, the sky’s the limit of where they can go,” said Culbertson.

To collect the shoes for Sunday’s event, Mission of HOPE Delta County is holding a glow run and walk August 2 at Ludington Park.

There is no pre-registration for the event. Participants are simply asked to bring a pair or two of kids’ gym shoes in place of a registration fee.

The glow run and walk begins at dusk, but live music will start around 8:30 p.m.

For more information about Mission of HOPE Delta County, the Friday glow run and walk or the Sunday Mission of HOPE giveaway, click here .

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