Beckham County Resource Fair Returns Aug. 1
The Beckham County Resource Fair returns for its fifth year on Thursday, August 1, offering a one-stop hub for school supplies, community services, and family fun. Hosted by the Western Oklahoma Family Care Center (WOFCC), the event will be held at the Elk City Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
Organizers expect more than 300 students from Beckham, Roger Mills, and Washita Counties to receive backpacks and school supplies through the center’s annual giveaway. Although anyone is welcome to attend the event, the free backpacks are reserved for students in those three counties.
Project Backpack will provide over 300 backpacks filled with school supplies to students in Pre-K through 6th grade who attend school in Beckham, Washita, or Roger Mills Counties. The program is sponsored by the Western Oklahoma Family Care Center, along with donors and Marathon Community Investment Programs.
“Those are just the ones that we can serve the backpacks to,” said Abby Daniels, Executive Director of WOFCC. “But the event’s free for anybody who wants to come.”
This year marks a shift in venue from the Arrowhead Center to the larger convention center space, with dozens of returning and new vendors offering services ranging from healthcare and recovery support to housing assistance and youth programs. The fair also includes a kid zone hosted by Western Oklahoma Inflatables, giving families a chance to explore resources while children enjoy the bounce houses.
Among the new additions this year are Tough As A Mother, an anti-stigma initiative that supports pregnant and parenting women in active addiction; the Oklahoma Alliance for Recovery Resources (OKARR), which provides housing and support services for individuals in recovery; and Step Up Transitional Living, a program designed for young adults aged 17 to 25.
Daniels credited the center’s recent networking efforts, including attendance at regional conferences, for bringing in more statewide partners. “We have a lot of new vendors that are coming that service all of Oklahoma,” she said. “A lot of people are coming from Altus just to give information.”
One of the most popular offerings—free haircuts for kids—will also return. “We have five right now,” Daniels said, referring to volunteer stylists. “We’ve also had a couple people reach out and they were like, ‘Well, we can’t be there, but we’d like to donate vouchers.’ So we’re printing out vouchers for them.”
This marks the first Resource Fair held under Daniels’ leadership as executive director. When asked if she wanted to offer a message to the community, she responded simply: “I’m just thankful to be serving a community, and I’m also so thankful to have such a good, supportive community that is supportive of things like this—to help our less fortunate and our unhoused community, and just to serve a bigger purpose to those that are not able to.”
This year’s fair isn’t just about supplies—it’s about connection. With bounce houses, school prep, and dozens of local organizations under one roof, it’s a chance for families of all kinds to come together before the new school year kicks off.
Kids who haven’t seen each other all summer will have space to run, laugh, and reconnect. Some will meet new friends they’ll recognize again in the classroom— maybe even on the first day of school.
Whether you’re new to the area or have lived here your whole life, the Beckham County Resource Fair is a chance to see what’s out there, make new connections, and step into the school year on the right foot.
For more information, visit the Western Oklahoma Family Care Center on Facebook or at wofccok.org.
