The Back to School Extravaganza! helps Pequea Valley School District (PVSD) students prepare to go back to school. In preparation for the second event, Karla Beiler, elementary programs director with The Factory Ministries, hopes that local residents will help meet student needs. "We could use school supplies and volunteers (for the Extravaganza!)," noted Beiler.

The 2024 Back to School Extravaganza! will be held in the gymnatorium at The Factory Ministries, 3293 E. Lincoln Highway, Paradise, on Tuesday, Aug. 6, from noon to 2 p.m. The giveaway will be open to all PVSD children from prekindergarten through high school, who will be able to shop for a backpack, school supplies, and personal hygiene items and receive free haircuts. Lunch will be provided by the Kellogg's Better Days Summer Hunger Grant obtained with help from the Rotary Club of Lancaster and the United Way of Lancaster. Those wishing to take part should register by Tuesday, July 30.

According to Beiler, preregistered students will come to the event to shop for a backpack they can then fill with school and hygiene supplies. Items that are still needed to fill at least 100 backpacks include pencil cases; water bottles; ear buds; craft supplies, such as markers and colored pencils; and hygiene supplies, including soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and hair accessories. While Bellevue Presbyterian Church and Staples on Lincoln Highway East gather supplies for the effort, Beiler pointed out that more items will be needed. She asked that school supplies and hygiene items be dropped at The Factory between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays by July 30.

Volunteers to help staff the Back to School Extravaganza! are needed from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 6. Individuals who wish to volunteer, as well as families that wish to register for the giveaway, may contact Beiler at 717-687-9594, ext. 206, or karla@thefactoryministries.com or Lisa Eckert, director of early learning at PVSD, at 717-381-5020 or lisa_eckert@pequeavalley.org.