COLUMBUS, Ohio — Each year, various organizations across Ohio make sure kids in pre-K up to seniors in high school get the back-to-school supplies they need.
Bobby Mitchell and his wife, Janeisha, have given away school supplies for the last 10 years.
For them, giving and loving their neighbor is “just a part of our DNA . . . that this is what we live all the time,” his wife said.
While they are no strangers to giving, this year they decided to do something extra special by finding kids who experienced the loss of a loved one within the last year.
Janeisha Mitchell said she can remember the days of not having much as a child and struggling to have the necessary supplies and clothes for school.
For Bobby Mitchell, his grandparents on his father’s side died when his father was just 15.
“I wouldn’t be here if somebody didn’t take a chance to help my dad,” said Bobby Mitchell.
Reaching out to Facebook, the two got an overwhelming response from people nominating children for the back-to-school shopping spree.
Saquana Captain was grateful when her cousin and two of her children were selected.
Captain said she’s used to working at the Ohio State Fair and taking that money to buy school supplies.
COVID-19 eliminated those plans this year.
Winning the shopping sprees was a load off.
“It helped a lot. And they did a good job,” Captain said.
Reflecting on his dad, Bobby Mitchell said he’s just glad he could pay it forward.
“One generation later, his son gets to do the same thing for other kids that have lost a loved one, lost a parent,” he said.
In addition to the shopping sprees, The Father’s House International gave away about 200 backpacks filled with supplies.
The hope is that they can reach more kids within the community next year.
“To see the smiles on those kids’ faces, it brings tears to you and brings a smile at the same time,” said Bobby Mitchell.
For now, Mitchell and his wife are just glad they could pay it forward.
