Students, families invited to Pike County back-to-school event Aug. 5

BARRY, Ill. — All Pike County families and students in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to Western High School, 401 McDonough, at 9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 5, for the Illini Community Hospital back-to-school event for distribution of food, backpacks, school supplies and personal hygiene products.

Food will be distributed in the parking lot in front of the Western High School gym starting at 9 a.m. and continue while supplies last. Children must be present to receive backpacks, school supplies and hygiene products.

In a press release, Holly Jones, vice president and administrator at Illini Community Hospital, said, “Success in school is similar to success in healthcare. At the hospital, we can’t treat patients successfully if we don’t have the proper supplies. Likewise, students can’t be successful without the right supplies at home and in the classroom. We hope the back-to-school drive makes the 2023-24 academic year exceptional for every Pike County student.”