6/23/2009

Because of the sagging economy, organizers expect 23 percent, or 350, more students to qualify for free backpacks and school supplies at the Back to School Fair this year, meaning more money is needed to buy the supplies and finance the event. At a news conference Tuesday, Marcia Demuth, one of the fair organizers, said a total of 1,850 Saline County students in kindergarten through 12th grade are expected to be eligible for the backpacks, which are provided by the Salina Area United Way in partnership with the Saline County Back to School Fair and The Volunteer Connection. Last year, backpacks and school supplies were provided to 1,500 students. Organizers are seeking more than $39,000 in donations for the fair and 100 volunteers to buy the supplies and put on the event.
Read the rest of this story in Wednesday's Salina Journal.