Franklin County health staff hand out free school supplies at high school drive-up

Franklin County health officials held a drive-up distribution of free school supplies at Franklin County High School, offering residents pickup from 8 to 11 a.m. and saying no documentation was required.

At the event, Chris Guest opened with an announcement and introduced two Franklin County Health Department representatives, Haley Collin and Sophia Leon Mesa, who described the logistics and purpose of the program. A health department representative invited residents to “please come out and see us today,” saying, “We will be here from 8 to 11 in the back lobby.”

Haley Collin said the program grew out of “a labor of love” and described the aim: to make sure “all of our kids in Franklin County in the community were able to start school off on the right foot.” Collin added that research shows students who arrive at school with needed supplies are better able to begin learning immediately.

Organizers described the event as a community effort. A health department representative said distribution was drive-up and open to Franklin County residents while supplies remain; staff repeatedly emphasized that “nothing is required” to pick up supplies. The event was held in the back lobby/gymnasium at Franklin County High School.

Chris Guest closed the brief program by praising local residents’ efforts: “What you see here is just another…example of Franklin County people, helping Franklin County people,” and wished attendees a safe weekend.

No formal actions, votes or legal references were announced at the event. The distribution is a county-run community program; organizers did not specify funding sources, the total number of kits available, or future distribution dates.