(Photo from Homer Congregational Church).
The Homer Congregational Church will host the 4th annual Back to School P.R.E.P. event, which Provides Resources and Essentials to Prepare kids for school, on Saturday, August 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. on the Village Green in Homer.
The event provides free new sneakers, socks, underwear, hygiene items and haircuts so that children can fully participate in their school experience and maintain good health. Kids from kindergarten to high school are welcome to attend.
Agencies that provide resources to support families throughout the year, such as the Cortland County Health Department and local libraries, will also attend.
“I am delighted by the community participation represented by the P.R.E.P. event,” said Senior Pastor Vicki Burtson. “The event began four years ago with a group of dedicated people within our congregation, and it has grown to represent the whole community.”
Support for the event comes from generous donations from members of Homer Congregational Church as well as a grant from the Brockway Foundation. Additional sponsors include the Kiwanis Club, Walmart, Bryne Dairy, Tops, Cost Cutters, Prima Hair Salon and local dentists.
“As people of faith, we are told to do justice and love kindness," added Burtson. "At the P.R.E.P. event, we will do more than repeat the words. We will embody them as a community."
Several members of the Outreach Team at the church, which coordinates the event, work in the Homer or Cortland School districts. They know first-hand the needs of families in our community, even recalling a time a student’s sneaker had to be duct-taped together.
“We are called to BE the church,” says Outreach Team member Carol Costell Corbin. “This event allows us to serve the families in our communities and live out our faith, to show our love of neighbor.”
Families are invited to stay for free ice cream and play lawn games on the Green.
To ensure fair distribution of items, school age children must be present with an adult. Families not able to attend may contact the church office the following week at 607-749-2604 or [email protected].
Homer Congregational Church is part of the United Church of Christ (UCC) and located at 28 South Main Street, Homer.
For more information, please visit the Homer Congregational Church Facebook page.
