PEORIA, Ill. – The new school year is around the corner, and a pair of state legislators are helping Peoria families get ready.
State Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth and State Senator Dave Koehler hosted the One Peoria Back to School and Health Fair Wednesday at Glen Oak Park.
Families received backpacks and school supplies for their kids at no cost to them, along with school and sport physicals. There were also opportunities to sign up for after school programs.
Gordon-Booth says the event can help parents keep more money in their pockets, and also not get caught off-guard by the start of the school year.
“Sometimes the school year sneaks up on people. And as a parent myself, at times you are finding yourself in a bit of a crunch,” Gordon-Booth said.
Gordon-Booth says she’s seen a growing need each year, especially as people still deal with inflation.
One of those parents who came to Wednesday’s event was Adam Grier.
“It means a lot, I’ve already been doing a lot of shopping online and everything. And this event helped out a lot,” Grier said.
Grier says the event also gave his kids a chance to do something outside. Outside of the booths, the event featured bounce houses, music, and soccer nets.
Koehler says the event shows the community cares about its students.
“As a child in this community, you’re important to us. And we want to help you celebrate the end of summer and getting you back to school,” Koelher said.
Koehler says the families are appreciative of having the resources available to them within their neighbors. He says if parents were not able to make it to Glen Oak Park, numerous other organizations throughout Peoria are running similar events in the next couple weeks.
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