Big Reach holds drive for school supplies

The items will be distributed Aug. 5 at the church.
GREENFORD -- School supplies and personal hygiene items are being collected at Home Savings and Loan offices in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties during office hours through Saturday and will go to the Big Reach School project sponsored by Greenford Christian Church, 11767 Lisbon Road.
Supplies will be distributed between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Aug. 5 at the church.
At Big Reach School, children of financially struggling families will receive new book bags filled with school supplies, new clothes, free haircuts, vision screenings, spinal and hearing checks.
Families will receive food, personal hygiene items, books, clothing and community information.
The carnival-type atmosphere will include entertainment and concessions.
Big Reach School hopes to reach out to 800 to 1,000 children in the area including Alliance, Austintown, Beloit, Boardman, Canfield, East Palestine, Homeworth, Kensington, Washingtonville and Youngstown. Participants must have registered to participate; there is a waiting list.
Great program
The church introduced its Big Reach ministry in 2004 to help less-fortunate families in the tri-county area. In 2005, the program helped more than 2,100 families. The program has distributed groceries, household items, clothing and toys to thousands of families.
The church also sponsors Big Reach Christmas, which provides toys, new clothing, groceries and cookies for the season. For more information on the programs and to sign up for the waiting list, contact Scott Lewis at (330) 533-3278 Ext. 218.