For Moniteau County parents like Jenna and Larry McCumber, getting their children ready to go back to school can be a challenge.
Thanks to local business and organization donations to the Moniteau County Alliance for Kids, the McCumbers were able to get health screenings and new backpacks filled with grade-specific supplies for each of their five children.
Without the seventh annual Moniteau County Back-to-School Fair on Saturday, the McCumbers would have had to make a lot of doctor's visit - to the dentist, eye doctor, shots and more, Jenna McCumber said. In addition, the school supplies make it easier on the pocketbook.
That is the event's goal, said Michele Stufflebean, alliance president.
Preregistration for the event drew 413 kindergarten through 12th-grade students from the seven schools in Moniteau County - California, Clarksburg, High Point, Jamestown, Latham, St. Andrews Catholic and Tipton.
"Parents really love it," she said.
Several parents and students who did not register and so did not receive a prefilled backpack still attended for the health screening benefit, Stufflebean said.
"They get real time, real people to get those things," she said.
Last year, 239 health issues were identified through the fair.
"That's helpful for parents; then they can decide on their own what to do next," Stufflebean said.
Dozens of youth-related organizations and businesses hosted booths at the event, as well.
The fair is the alliance's sole event. More than 75 volunteers have helped, from packing backpacks to entertaining at the fair.
For the next school year, parents are encouraged to watch the organization's Facebook page in the spring for the date and link for registration.
"There is a stigma that this is for low-income families," Stufflebean said. "We have no income guidelines; it for all students across the board."
Email to [email protected] for more information.