Back to School Fair for DuPage Co. families

To help ease the budget strain for parents of children returning to school in the fall, Catholic Charities and nearly 100 DuPage County agencies present the 17th annual Back to School Fair, a one-stop shopping event with free health and human services available to DuPage families living on low incomes.

This year's fair will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 6 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton.

Parents and guardians need to bring identification for all members of the family, proof of income and proof of a DuPage County address. Dental and vision screenings will be available upon request that day for every guest.

Parents are encouraged to call (630) 893-5230 or (630) 293-4124 to schedule an appointment for their child's school or sport physical for a time convenient to their schedules this summer.

At the fair, parents and guardians will also receive information and resources including financial assistance, child-care options, child development and growth activities, affordable housing, legal needs, educational opportunities, voter registration, job referrals, nutrition, free school supplies and backpacks, Social Security information, All Kids applications and shoe vouchers.

In addition, each eligible student will receive a $10 voucher for the purchase of new school supplies. Donations to help purchase these school supply vouchers may be sent to Back to School Fair, 26 W. St. Charles Road, Lombard, IL 60148. Please make checks payable to Catholic Charities Back to School Fair.

The fair is coordinated by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet, and currently supported by Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare, Central DuPage Hospital, the D.A.R.E. Program, DuPage Library System, DuPage County 4-H Foundation, DuPage Regional Office of Education, DuPage County Health Department, DuPage County Community Services, DuPage Sheriff Department, Enchanted Castle, Technology Center of DuPage and Walgreen Foundation as well as donations from parishes in the diocese and many individual donors.

For details about becoming a sponsor or making a donation, call Mary Tarnów at Catholic Charities at (630) 495-8008, ext. 2110.