Fannin County, Texas -- Donations are needed for the 26th annual School Supply Drive and Fair hosted by the Fannin County Children's Center.  The Children’s Center will once again be giving away free school supplies to Fannin County students on Saturday, August 6 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

This year’s event will include a Back-to-School Fair, similar to what was done in 2019.  The street in front of the center will be blocked off to allow churches, non-profits, local businesses and other organizations to set up tents to give away free food, resources or information.  Free haircuts will be provided.  There is still more room for additional vendors and people licensed to cut hair.  The vendor application can be found on the agency website or by contacting Andrea Lappin at (903) 583-4339 or andrea@fanninccc.org.

The center is also seeking donations to make this effort possible.  “Every contribution is appreciated and needed” said Sandy Barber, Executive Director of the Children’s Center. The center is now accepting paper, notebooks, pencils, folders and other school supplies.”  Barber said, “Donors can also donate cash and leave the shopping to us.  We will use it to buy what is most needed and we will stretch the donation farther by using our tax-exempt status when making the purchases.”

In all, the agency has given out free school supplies to more than 12,000 students in the last 25 years.  Organizers expect to serve 500-700 students again this year.  This effort depends on contributions from many generous individuals, churches, businesses and other local organizations.

Items needed include: notebook paper, pens, pencils, three-ring notebooks, folders with and without brads, spiral notebooks, scissors, markers, crayons, red pens and pencils, highlighters, glue sticks, glue in bottles, erasers, backpacks, construction paper, manilla paper, watercolor paints, pencil boxes and pencil bags.

Contributions can be delivered to the center at 112 West Fifth Street, Bonham, TX anytime they are open from Monday – Friday 8 am to 5 pm.  Checks can be made out to FCCC and should include a brief notation that the gift is for school supplies. Donations can also be made on-line at www.fanninccc.org.

All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.  Organizers request that contributions arrive by August 3 or earlier if at all possible to allow time for organization and preparations.  

For more information, call (903) 583-4339 or go to www.fanninccc.org.