On August 3rd hundreds of students and families arrived at Lebanon School District's Alumni Stadium for the annual Back to School Festival where bookbags and other school supplies collected by individuals, families and businesses through the Stuff the Bus school supply drive were given out to students who will soon return to school.
The Back to School Festival, organized by United Way of Lebanon County, Making a Difference of Lebanon, PA, Lebanon School District, Lebanon Valley YMCA and VF Corporation, began at 9 a.m. and ended at noon. Bert Miuccio, executive director of United Way of Lebanon County, said that last year they collected and dispersed roughly 700 bookbags, setting a record for the organization. The goal this year was to raise at least 1,000 bags. Miuccio said they had well surpassed that goal at somewhere between 1,300 and 1,400 bags. Close to 1,000 of those bags, stuffed with school supplies, were given out during the Back to School Festival. Miuccio said that any and all remaining bags and supplies will be distributed among the school districts in Lebanon County. Miuccio said that the need for events such as the Back to School Festival is great, especially with roughly 70% of families in Lebanon County living at or below the ALICE threshold. "I was just walking around here and I was elated to see how some of the younger children especially just lit up, their face just lit up," Miuccio said, "when they were able to pick out a book bag of their choice and see the supplies in it and go running over to their parents." A big thanks to everyone who participated in the Back to School Festival and helped students in need in Lebanon County.