Come out for food and fun at the Threads & Treads Fair, and you can support families in the local community at the same time.

The event will be held at Christ Church United Church of Christ (UCC), 247 S. Market St., Elizabethtown, on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The festivities will feature food vendors Parma Pizza, Juquilita Tacos, Funky Candy and Christ Church. Music by will be provided by Occasions, and lots of children's activities will be offered, including games, face painting, balloon art, bounce houses and more. All activities are free for children.

A large bake sale will feature a variety of handmade goodies, and people will have the opportunity to win more than 30 giveaway baskets from various businesses and community organizations. The options will include food, gift cards, sporting goods, decorative items and more.

"It's a huge selection," said Dave Andrick, committee member. "There is something for everyone."

The name of the fair - Threads & Treads - spotlights its mission, he explained.

"All proceeds go to support new shoes, clothing and other items for students in need in the Elizabethtown Area School District (EASD)," he said. "It's free fun for children, great food and a great cause."

Threads & Treads began after church member Nadinne Ziegler and a committee brainstormed outreach missions for the church. Ziegler, who is not originally from Elizabethtown, did some research and learned the town is known for candy and shoes, so she connected with a social worker in the school district and asked if there was a need for a shoe drive. She learned clothing was needed, too, so she gathered volunteers to organize the first event in 2024.

Money raised at the festival goes into a fund the church has created to support students. When there is a need for shoes or clothing for students, staff members at EASD schools contact the church for the money to purchase items.

Ziegler and others on the committee were surprised to learn of the depth of need in the Elizabethtown community, where more than 40% of the population in the school district lives below the federal poverty line.

"(Threads & Treads is) a partnership between Christ Church UCC and Elizabethtown Area School District to fill a pressing need," Andrick said. "Nadinne Ziegler spearheaded things, and we found a great advocate in Dr. Jenn Fields at the Elizabethtown Area School District."

The fund has supported countless families across all grade levels and has made an impact on the community. Last year, Threads & Treads raised more than $10,000 to help the Elizabethtown community and provided more than $6,000 for winter coats and cold-weather gear for students, as well as supplying personal care items and school supplies to set students up for success.

"In the last two years, this program has raised over $30,000 to help children in need in the Elizabethtown Area School District," Andrick noted.

For more information on the Threads & Treads Fair, visit https://threads-and-treads.com.