Community Corner

Back to School Fair Set for Wednesday at DuPage County Fairgrounds

Catholic Charities sponsors the annual event, which helps thousands of people in DuPage County.

Volunteers were busy sorting books Friday at the warehouse in in preparation for the upcoming back to school fair at the DuPage County Fairgrounds.

The nonprofit hopes to give away 12,000 books to children in need during the annual back to school event. Along with the books that will be available, families will be able to get much needed back to school items. 

Catholic Charities sponsors the event being held Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester Road, Wheaton. In addition to school supplies, a number of agencies, including the DuPage County Health Department, will be on hand to offer information and, in some cases, services. 

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Last year, 11,359 people attended the fairs, which were held in DuPage, Kankakee and Will counties, according to Catholic Charities.

The health department will offer dental screenings for children under the age of 19, school dental exams, which are required for children in kindergarten and grades 2 and 6, and vision screenings, according to the health department.

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Information will also be available explaining other health department programs and services for low-income families, according to the health department. Tables will be set up with information specifically related to nutrition and hygiene, child car seats and All KidsHealth Insurance. 

SCARCE (School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education) has collected thousands of books to share with children and families, said Kay McKeen, the nonprofit’s founder and executive director. Books that will be available include cardboard baby books, classic literature, dictionaries, bilingual books and picture books.

McKeen said UPS was sending volunteers to the nonprofit to help load their trucks with books to be delivered in time for the fair.

Parents who attend the fair must bring the following:

  • Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns or public aid card);
  • Proof of address in DuPage County (Driver’s license or ID card and a recent utility bill or lease);
  • Identification for children (birth certificate or medical card.)

The Catholic Charities Back to School Fair will be held Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester Road, Wheaton.


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