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Groups provide school supplies, food and fun at Covelli Centre
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
YOUNGSTOWN
Several organizations came together Saturday to offer food, fun and school supplies to those in need.
New Life Church of Poland has had the event for three years, but this year the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence and the Jericho Project joined it to put on the Goodness Invasion. In the Jericho Project, about 20 city and suburban churches work together to provide school supplies to children in need.
“When the churches and organizations come together, we can do so much more,” said Rolando Rojas, senior pastor at Spanish Evangelical Church in Youngstown. “We have the resources; we just have to come together and get it done.”
The event Saturday at the Covelli Centre was expected to draw about 6,000 people.
Nonperishable food and produce were distributed, and 3,000 backpacks with school supplies were available.
“I like it,” said Amy Rayburn of Girard. “It’s a really good program because I have no income and my husband had open-heart surgery, and we can’t get money for backpacks.”
Her 12-year-old son Noah Rayburn received a black backpack filled with supplies. He said it will help when he enters seventh grade this fall.
But the event included more than food and backpacks. Children were able to jump in a bounce-around and play ring toss, cornhole and other games. Sno-cones were available for free. Noah enjoyed his Sno-cone and had his face painted like a tiger.
“I think it’s real nice,” he said about the event.
Georgeann Rodriquez of Austintown brought her son and three foster children.
“I think this is nice,” she said. “It’s nice that they do this. The kids love it.”
The children enjoyed Sno-cones and the bounce-around and then had their faces painted.
Her son, Jordan Rodriquez, 11, said he had fun. Though he wasn’t sure what to choose for his face-painting, he said it was his favorite activity.
Georgeann said the donations help.
“The food helps a lot,” she said. “The book bags and school supplies — because they’re expensive — help. It’s great. I’m glad they do this here in Youngstown, because we need it.”