West Delaware Back to School Fair Returns August 7th

Planning is underway for the West Delaware Back to School Fair. 

This year’s Back to School Fair will be a drive-thru event at the high school on Wednesday, August 7th. 

Each student will receive a new backpack, which will be filled with new school supplies specific to their grade level such as notebooks, pens, pencils, scissors, earbuds, and glue sticks, as well as a hygiene pack filled with soap, deodorant for grades 5-12, shampoo, brush, toothpaste, and toothbrush. Students will also receive two pairs of socks, two pairs of underwear, and a new West Delaware shirt.

In addition to the school supplies, hygiene products and clothing, each family will receive a folder filled with information for area service agencies such as Delaware County Community Services, Helping Services of NE Iowa, Manchester Public Library, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Delaware County, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Amerigroup, and many more. 

The deadline for West Delaware families to register their children for the filled backpacks is this Friday. The link to register can be found on the West Delaware homepage. 

This is the 21st year for the Back to School Fair and the mission has always been to help West Delaware families be prepared and excited about the new academic year. Last year, they were able to serve 352 students in grades preschool to high school, helping children from 170 families in the district.

The fair would not be possible without community support in providing volunteers and donations. The planning team has applied for and received a generous grant that forms the backbone of the financial support for the fair. A grant from the McGee-Barr Fund for $4,000 will help support the fair this year. In addition to in-kind donations, we continue to receive generous monetary donations from area businesses, churches, and individuals.

The planning team of Bev Hermsen, Jenny Pettlon, and Jody Doyle are always on the search for great deals throughout the year to help the money stretch as far as possible.

If you would like to donate to the 2024 fair, please send your check in care of the WD Back to School Fair to:
West Delaware Back to School Fair
West Delaware High School
Attn: Bev Hermsen
605 New St.
Manchester, IA 50257