From left, Tammy Kruse, Jermaine Lucious and Emileigh Rose of Youth Services System Inc. prepare to stuff drawstring backpacks with school supplies and other items that will be distributed in Ohio and Marshall counties in August.

WHEELING — In lieu of its annual Celebrate Youth Festival, which was canceled because of COVID restrictions on large gatherings, Youth Services System Inc. will distribute free school supplies and resource packets for families in Marshall and Ohio counties.

YSS purchased the supplies with grant money and other donations.

It is partnering with Ohio County Schools to hand out 3,500 drawstring backpacks filled with supplies at the county’s 12 meal distribution sites from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 6. Each family also will get a resource packet of information provided by local agencies and businesses that serve children and families.

“We also are excited to partner with Susie Baker in Marshall County to provide resource packets for families picking up supplies at her Back to School Fun Fair event at Marshall County Fairgrounds on Aug. 5,” said Terra Crews, YSS special events coordinator.

Celebrate Youth is an annual festival at Wheeling Park that provides thousands of families with a free wristband to enjoy the park’s amenities along with food, youth entertainment, inflatables and a resource fair at the Wheeling Park Ice Rink. YSS CEO John Moses started the festival in 2008 as a way to give back to the community and give children a fun day at the park before summer’s end.

“Although we can’t get together and celebrate this year, we felt it was important to find a way to get some supplies to these families and also give them the helpful information that our Celebrate Youth exhibitors provide each year,” Moses said.

Sponsors include the Encova Foundation, Marshall County Commission, David and Judith Rose and an anonymous donor.