Brightside Project offers back-to-school clothing vouchers in Salem

SALEM The Brightside Project is holding sign-ups for its yearly Back-to-School Clothing and Shoe Voucher Program on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at its office, located at 1909 N. Ellsworth Ave, Salem.

It serves students in the Salem City School District, including those in Head Start, PreK, Buckeye Elementary, Reilly Elementary, Southeast Elementary, Salem Jr. and Sr. High School, and St. Paul students receiving the Ed Choice Scholarship.

To sign up, families should bring two proofs of residency and each student’s birth certificate. Children do not need to be present for the sign-up. Lisa Vittorio, co-director of The Brightside Project, said the program helps children feel ready for the school year.

In addition to clothing vouchers, The Brightside Project will distribute backpacks and school supplies to students in PreK through 12th grade in Columbiana and rural Mahoning County. These distributions will take place during the organization's August Food for Kids events on Thursday, Aug. 7, and Thursday, Aug. 21, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Brightside Project. Children must be present to receive supplies at these events.

Rural Mahoning County includes students from the West Branch, Sebring, South Range, Western Reserve, Springfield Local, and Jackson Milton school districts.

The Brightside Project is a nonprofit organization that works with children and young people in Columbiana and rural Mahoning County. Its main goal is to help remove obstacles that might prevent children from having a safe and healthy childhood, and to give them resources to succeed.

The Salem Community Foundation and Pearce Foundation contribute to this effort.