Back To School With Reusable Bags

With fall just around the corner that means one thing to many families – it is time to go back to school. In Zoarville, Ohio for the sixth year in a row the Tuscarawas Valley school district is gearing up for the Back to School Fair. This event is orchestrated by the local Community Business Association of Northern Tuscarawas County and allows community service agencies and local businesses, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Tuscarawas County Public Library, Tuscarawas County Health Department and Safe Kids Coalition, Compass, NAMI, R U Stylin’, Zoar Air Design and Embroidery, and Zoar Fire Department to round up school supplies for local students. The items are packed into reusable grocery bags and these care packages will be handed out to kindergarten through fourth-grade students who attend the fair on a first come first serve basis. After the reusable bags are handed out the community is invited to gather in the high school stadium for the Meet the Teams procession which highlights the fall and high school athletics and arts programs. A scrimmage game will follow the rally, capping off an evening of community support as the students gear up for a new school year. Meet the Teams procession will begin in the stadium, highlighting the fall middle school and high school athletics and arts programs. A scrimmage game will immediately follow the rally at 7 p.mCommunity service agencies supporting this event and distributing information about their services include Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Bolivar McDonald’s, Compass, NAMI, R U Stylin’, Tuscarawas County Public Library, Tuscarawas County Health Department and Safe Kids Coalition, Zoar Air Design and Embroidery and Zoar Fire Department.

This entire event is a win-win for the whole community. Students reap the generosity of the community groups and local businesses and get needed supplies for school while these groups do right by the community and help get their name out there. The reusable bag is a great addition to the care package since it not only helps the kids carry their supplies home but can be used again and again and is sure to come in handy.

Versatile Uses for Reusable Bags

Between classes and extracurricular activities, students can easily have a lot of gear and supplies they need to move. Reusable bags are great for gym clothes or athletic uniforms, pads, and cleats. Using a reusable bag to tote athletic gear can help to contain messes if students have muddy cleats and gear. Reusable bags also make great lunch bags. The qualities that make for a good grocery bag translate nicely to a lunch tote and make reusable bags superior to brown-bagging lunch. Bags constructed from polypropylene contain condensation and accidental spills so messes do not get out of hand and possibly damage books or schoolwork. Reusable bags also hold up under pressure – when traditional paper bags get wet they become soggy and tear while reusable bags hold it together. It is important to dedicate reusable bags to specific tasks – once a bag is used for sports gear it should not pull double duty as a lunch bag. It can be tempting to grab a bag if it is needed in a pinch, but germs and bacteria can be spread and when it comes to your student’s health and well-being you need to make sure all necessary precautions are taken.

By now everyone knows it’s important to wash reusable bags used to carry groceries, but it’s important to wash your reusable bags regardless of what they are used for whether it be books, lunch, school projects, or clothing. Bags should be washed based on the material. Sustainable cotton and canvas bags can typically handle a spin in the washer with no issues. It is best to wash polypropylene bags by hand – simply swish the bags in warm water with antibacterial soap and use a nylon-bristled brush to scrub any stains. When in doubt let bags line dry. Polypropylene can melt when exposed to heat and cotton may shrink so tossing such bags in a dryer may damage them. Letting your bags air dry takes longer, but it ensures your bags are in good condition. It is also worth noting that you should let bags dry completely before putting them back into use or storing them in a locker – a damp bag tossed in a confined locker may get musty or develop mildew.

Reusable bags are just plain handy and can help your student carry extra items for school. Heading back to school is exciting and nerve-racking and the mark of a new beginning; you make sure your student is prepared for whatever the year holds with pens, pencils, and paper, but reusable bags are an overlooked item that can really be useful. Make sure to grab a few reusable bags to prepare for whatever the school year has in store. Community service agencies supporting this event and distributing information about their services include Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Bolivar McDonald’s, Compass, NAMI, R U Stylin’, Tuscarawas County Public Library, Tuscarawas County Health Department and Safe Kids Coalition, Zoar Air Design and Embroidery and Zoar Fire Department.