Describe the Issue or Situation.

There are families in Northern Kentucky who need assistance with getting school supplies for their children. On Saturday, August 11, 2024, a back to school event was held by the F.I.E.S.T.A. (Family, Inclusion, Education, Society, Tradition, and Access) organization at the Boone County Enrichment Center. They gave away backpacks and partnered with local organizations to give away school supplies to Northern Kentucky Hispanic families to help children succeed. In addition to distributing pencils and erasers, I handed out Chop Chop magazines and 2024 SNAP-ed recipe calendars in Spanish.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

As a member of the Boone County 4-H Youth Development department, I along with other organizations, such as the Kenton County Library, North Central AHEC (Area Health Education Center), Boone County Horticultural department, an insurance company, other local agencies, families and youth living in Northern Kentucky, volunteers, and the FIESTA organization participated in this event. The different organizations sat at tables and handed out school supplies and other products for children to put into their backpacks.

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

The targeted audience was Northern Kentucky Hispanic families with children. There were approximately 200 participants and volunteers who came out to help with the event or to collect backpacks, school supplies, and other products. There was approximately 150 youth participants, approximately 10 non-Hispanic participants and approximately 140 Hispanic youth who collected items for their backpacks.

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

Short-term Outcomes: All Hispanic families with children who attended the back to school event received a backpack and went around to tables collecting school supplies.

Medium-term: Outcomes: Hispanic families are more aware of resources in the Northern Kentucky area that could help them and their families. If they collected a Chop Chop magazine or 2024 SNAP-ed recipe calendar from my table, some new and improved practices or behaviors of the participants in my community include making healthier food choices.