Brightside Project offers clothing help for students in Salem district

SALEM -- The Back to School Clothes and Shoes Voucher Program to benefit Salem City School District students is continuing this year through The Brightside Project.

Families in need can sign up at The Brightside Project, located at 138 S. Broadway Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon July 25, from 4 to 8 p.m. July 29, or from 9 a.m. to noon or 4 to 8 p.m. July 30. Parent/Guardian(s) must provide two proofs of being a Salem resident and each child's birth certificate.

The Salem Community Foundation Board of Directors voted recently to grant $15,000 to The Brightside Project to be used for the voucher program for Head Start through eighth grade students for the 2020-2021 school year.

Upon the retirement of Church Women United, the Brightside Project is keeping the Back to School assistance available for Salem families in need with help from the Salem Community Foundation, the Pearce Foundation, and private donors.

The Back to School Clothes and Shoes Voucher Program will offer one voucher per qualifying student to be redeemed for shoes and clothing items only at the Salem Walmart located at 2875 E. State St., Salem.

Vouchers will be given in the amounts of $55 per Head Start through third grade students and $70 per fourth through eighth grade students.

"We are excited to continue the good work that Church Women United has done for our community for so many years. We know that this is especially tough times for children and families in Salem and we want to give them some peace of mind when heading into the new school year," Brightside Project Executive Director Scott Lewis said.

The Brightside Project is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to equipping and empowering children to reach their full potential by building resiliency and giving hope. For more information or to make a financial contribution to the program, visit www.brightsideprojectohio.org or call 234-320-4005.