Latest news with #BacktoSchoolBash
Dominion Post
05-08-2025
- General
- Dominion Post
Annual Back to School Bash this weekend at Mylan Park
MORGANTOWN — Pantry Plus More's annual Back to School Bash takes a year's worth of work to pull together. Thousands of hours volunteered and tens of thousands of dollars raised for a return on investment that's way more about feeling than finance. That payoff arrives between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday when an anticipated 1,600 school-age kids fill the Mon County Center in Mylan Park. 'What I love about the Bash is that it gives volunteers like myself a real-life glimpse into the work that you're doing,' event chair Amanda Bolyard said. 'The kids are so excited. Watching a kid pick out a backpack with a character they like or a color they want is an amazing feeling. You watch them go through the supply lines and when they leave, they're so excited about what they have. It's really an indescribable experience.' The yearly event began in 2018 with the goal of giving every kid in Monongalia County the opportunity to show up on the first day of school with a brand new backpack and all new school supplies – the point being a child who isn't fixated on what they don't have can instead focus on learning. It's the same idea behind the pantries the nonprofit keeps stocked in a number of Monongalia County schools. 'The bash is important to our work as education is the pathway out of poverty,' Bolyard said. 'The mission of [Pantry Plus More] is to help eliminate hunger and other obstacles that inhibit students' ability to achieve their educational goals.' Items will be available for free on a first-come-first-served basis to all students Pre-K through 12th attending a Monongalia County school. Offerings will include backpacks, school supplies and hygiene products. There will also be vendor resource tables providing families information about various support services in the area. The Monongalia County Health Department will be on hand to offer physicals for $20 as well as information and registration for WIC. While organizers encourage pre-registering online through the PPM Facebook page ( students can register the day of the event. As of Tuesday morning, more than 1,400 kids had been registered. Volunteers can also sign up via a link available through Facebook or at Beyond volunteering, the community can support the Back to School Bash through monetary donations or in-kind donations of items like spiral notebooks, composition notebooks, loose leaf paper, markers, crayons, pens, pencils and other new school supplies. Bolyard said the Bash is the largest single-day event undertaken by PPM. It takes a year of preparation and the support from community partners like Northeast Natural Energy, which provided $10,000 to purchase hygiene products. Other supporters include Chestnut Ridge Church, Mon Health and the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust. 'Just seeing one kid come through and be excited to go to school instead of the alternative feeling of shame or embarrassment – seeing one child like that makes it all worth it,' Bolyard said. 'It's very special.'
Chicago Tribune
05-08-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Niles social service department gives away backpacks and other school supplies at ‘Back to School Bash'
After making a public call for donations – and amply receiving them – the Niles Family Services Department held a giveaway event Saturday to distribute classroom essentials to families in need as the new school year approaches. The 'Back to School Bash' was held at Niles Village Plaza, a newly renovated space near Village Hall. 'The big reason we do this is to serve the families that we know that really need it,' said Family Services Director Susanne Malone. The village department bills itself as a comprehensive social services option 'for residents to get resources and support related to wellness, mental health, recovery, and other needs they may have.' A backpack drive benefited more than 120 families. 'That number keeps rising,' Malone said, with the intent to provide, 'them (students) with all their school supplies because of generous donors.' Additional classroom essentials collected through a community-wide drive and distributed Saturday included pens and pencils, notebooks, note cards, crayons and markers, binders, scissors and more. The bash included food and entertainment – including a performance by a Taylor Swift interpretive artist. Also featured were demonstrations by Max Martial Arts of Niles. Adults and youngsters were also invited to participate in an interactive exercise with the martial artists. Free haircuts in time for school were also offered. The new school year starts Aug. 12 for students of Niles Township High School District 219. Area elementary and middle schools begin the new academic year in the coming days, as well. Malone said this year's celebration was the biggest, in part because of the new space offered by Niles Village Plaza. 'It's very exciting that we have the plaza,' Malone said. 'It's all pretty new. Philanthropy for the event came from faith-based partners' support, as well as other organizations and businesses, bash organizers explained. 'I think what's special about Niles is that they really, really take seriously what their residents need,' Malone said. 'Our mission is to empower families, to make that positive and lasting change, and one way we do that is to connect. She said the school supply drive and giveaway helps her department to connect. 'It's a win-win,' said Malone. Many attendees came from beyond Niles. Intergenerational opportunities included extended family accompanying young relatives. One child was brought by her aunts because the youngster's mother had to work. The family members said they didn't want the child to miss out on the community party. Eddie and Michelle Pacheco, of Niles, brought their children Elissa, 4, Rod, 12, a rising seventh-grader and Jordan, 10, a fifth-grader. Their new school year starts Aug. 19. 'Thank you for helping out the families in Niles and other families in need,' Michelle Pacheco said, referring to Niles Family Services and the back to school giveaway. 'It actually helps them go back to school and not have to worry about the finances.' Rod and Jordan said they are not excited for school to begin. However, Elissa, who turns 5 this month, is elated to start kindergarten. Mom Michelle Pacheco has a feeling that the first day of kindergarten will be a bittersweet experience. 'I think we're going to cry,' the mother said.
Axios
31-07-2025
- Climate
- Axios
Weekend things to do: Backpack giveaways, CatVideo Fest and storm expo
It's hot as heck, but the weekend events persist. 🎒 Backpack giveaways: With the first day of school less than two weeks away, several organizations are giving out free backpacks and school supplies this weekend: Bounce Back to School Backpack Giveaway, St. Pete: Saturday, 4-8pm at Tropicana Field Lot 1. Featuring bounce houses, food vendors, a chicken wing cookoff and 2,500 free backpacks loaded with school supplies. Back-to-School Community Resource Fair, Tampa: Saturday, 10am-2pm at the Victor Crist Community Center Complex. Featuring free backpacks (with child present) and school supplies, plus food, resources and fun. Back to School Bash, Clearwater: Today, 2:30-4:40pm at the Ross Norton Recreation Center. Featuring free backpacks (with child present), games and refreshments. 😻 CatVideo Fest 2025, Tampa: Watch a compilation of cats being silly little weirdos while supporting the Humane Society of Tampa Bay at this festival-fundraiser combo at Tampa Theatre. 🌀 Storm Mitigation Expo, St. Pete Beach: Pinellas County and St. Pete Beach teamed up for this free event featuring vendors with best practices on how to protect your property and the latest home mitigation products and strategies.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Waco Police Department prepping for Back to School Bash
WACO, Texas (FOX 44) – Even though summer is still kicking off, Waco PD is gearing up for one of their biggest events for the community – the Back to School Bash! This Waco PD's fifth year doing the event, and more and more people look forward to the occasion. The support from the community is enormous, with thousands of backpacks being given away to students in need. Each backpack has all of the school supplies one might need. While the giveaway occurs, there are also games and activities for everyone. The event provides supplies for elementary to high school-aged kids – helping every student start off on the right foot. 'We believe that by giving students the tools they need to have a good first day and a good start to their school year, it's just it gives them confidence, right?' Waco PD Public information Officer Cierra Shipley said. 'And it sets them up for a successful start.' The kids are always excited to receive their supplies, and parents are relieved from one more stressor that comes with this time of year. Waco PD is currently accepting donations, which can be dropped off at the department, located at 3115 Pine Avenue. The last day to donate is July 24th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
