Grace United Methodist Church and community partners expect to serve about 300 children during the free event open to families across the Coastal Bend.
ROBSTOWN, Texas — Families across the Coastal Bend are invited to a free Back-to-School Bash in Robstown this week, where organizers plan to hand out 300 backpacks filled with school supplies, along with free haircuts, food and family activities.
The event will be held on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Robstown Young Futures, located at 401 Ligustrum Blvd in Robstown. Organizers with Grace United Methodist Church and Methodist Healthcare Ministries said the event is open to everyone, with no income or residency requirements.
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Brandy Hernandez, outreach coordinator for Grace United Methodist Church, said volunteers hope to serve about 100 households and 300 children to help ease the financial burden many families face before the new school year.
Each backpack contains about 85% of the school supplies many campuses are requesting, giving families a strong start on their back-to-school shopping lists.
More than 100 volunteers from the church and community packed the backpacks during a recent volunteer event.
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In addition to school supplies, families can receive free haircuts while children enjoy carnival games, inflatables, basketball activities, axe-throwing, and other entertainment. Food will also be available during the event.
“This is a community-led effort,” said Yadira, a Wesley nurse with Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “We’re giving more than just a backpack and supplies. We’re giving families support because it’s important for our children to excel in school and in the community.”
Organizers said the Back-to-School Bash is in its second year. Last year’s event was held in Calallen, but this year’s gathering was moved to Robstown to introduce families to the new Robstown Young Futures facility and connect more residents with available community resources.
Hernandez said the event is designed to bring families together while helping children head into the new school year prepared and supported.