As the new school year approaches, Chicago Public Schools students will return to classes on August 18. In anticipation of this, various community groups, churches, and local organizations are coming together to host a variety of events designed to help families prepare for the upcoming academic year.
These events will take place across the city and will include free school supplies, backpacks, and food, as well as fun activities for children.
On August 2, a series of Back to School rallies and festivals are set to occur throughout the South and Southwest sides of Chicago. St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church will kick things off with their Annual Back to School Rally from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families can expect to enjoy free food, backpacks, school supplies, and engaging children’s activities.
At The Eye Bar Optics, a Back-to-School Vision Exam Event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering vision exams for attendees. Both appointments and walk-ins are welcome, and children can partake in fun festival activities like a jump house and face painting.
Arm of Faith will host its Back to School Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with exciting attractions such as a petting zoo, gaming truck, face painting, and bounce house.
Following closely, the Chicago Urban League will hold its Back to School Festival from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with free backpacks, health resources, haircuts, and various giveaways aimed at ensuring students are ready for school.
The Greater Pleasant Green Baptist Church will also host its Back-to-School Rally from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring school supplies, entertainment, food, and games for families.
For those in need of school supplies, Greater Mountain of Hope Ministries and Train Up A Nation will hold a Back 2 School Bash from noon to 2 p.m. Various giveaways will include book bags and school supplies, along with free haircuts, food, and music for families in attendance.
The Beegr8t Back-to-School Youth Kickoff will invite families to The Learning Space from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on August 7 for a fun-filled day of raffles, arts and crafts, music, and refreshments, all while providing free school supplies for students.
Following that, a Back to School Health Fair will take place on August 8 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the South Chicago Parking Lot, where the Chicago Family Health Center will offer same-day school physical and dental exams to students. The fair will include games, free goodies, backpacks, and lunch for families in attendance.
The Gary Comer Youth Center will invite the neighborhood to their Greater Together Back-to-School Block Party from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on August 8. The event will feature live entertainment, water activities, arts and crafts, and food, along with a backpack and school supply giveaway.
On August 9, the SLC Ministries will host the Back2School Community Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will have bounce houses, a petting zoo, and vendors distributing school supplies and vaccinations.
Live Your Dream Foundation will hold its 4th Annual Back to School Bash on August 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a first-come, first-served distribution of free backpacks beginning at 11:30 a.m., along with food for all attendees.
Helping families prepare for the upcoming school year, This is Life will host a Back to School Bash on August 13 at Hamilton Park from noon to 3 p.m. The event will feature various games and activities alongside free backpacks and school supplies for students.
A Back to School Fair at Ada S. McKinley Community Services will occur on August 15 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., this event promises school supplies, haircuts, food, and music, and will also provide insights about therapy and education services.
The Mother Betty Price Foundation will have their A Cry For Our Youth Back-to-School Event on August 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Moran Park, offering free school supplies and food for families, ensuring a supportive atmosphere as the new school year approaches.
El Valor will host its Back to School Event on the same day from 10 a.m. to noon at Rey B. Gonzalez Children and Family Center, where families can receive free backpacks and school supplies.
The Kindness Campaign’s Back 2 School Bash on August 17 will provide students with free school supplies and access to services like haircuts, along with fun games, pony rides, a magician, and an animal farm at 703 E. 75th St.
The annual 1’s Family Back to School Giveaway Picnic at Calumet Park Beach will take place at 3 p.m. on August 17, encouraging families to enjoy a day filled with games, food, and a book bag giveaway.
On August 24, True Light Baptist Church will celebrate its 102nd anniversary with a Back-to-School rally starting at 11 a.m. After the 9:30 a.m. worship service, attendees can enjoy free school supplies, food, music, games, and local vendors.
The North and Northwest sides will be hosting similar events leading up to the school year, providing ample opportunities for families across Chicago to obtain necessary supplies.
Ald. Angela Clay will host the 46th Ward’s 2nd Annual Back to School Bash on August 2 from noon to 4 p.m. Families can enjoy face painting, local food vendors, and free haircuts, alongside a backpack and school supply giveaway.
That same day, a Back to School Giveaway at Gross Park from noon to 3 p.m. will be organized by local Realtors to help students kick off the school year with free backpacks and fun activities such as face painting.
Over on the West Side, Central States SER will host a Back to School Educational Rally from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3948 W. 26th St. This event aims to provide families with resources, including games, food, and giveaways.
New Philadelphia Pentecostal House of Prayer will host a Back to School community event on August 9 from noon to 4:30 p.m., providing book bags, food, and music to get students excited for the year ahead.
The Home of Life Outreach Team will host a Back to School Jamboree on August 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring games and activities, and offering students necessary school supplies along with free food and drinks.
On August 14, the Lawndale Christian Health Center and Harmony Community Church will present their 7th Annual Back to School Bash from 4 to 6 p.m., where students in kindergarten through 12th grade can receive school supply packets, along with fun activities such as an inflatable basketball hoop and dry slide.
On August 16, Chicago Sky star Angel Reese will team with Reebok for a Back-to-School Giveaway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at International Sports Chicago, where they will distribute 1,000 brand-new backpacks filled with essential supplies while also discussing topics such as school preparedness and anti-bullying strategies.
Families are invited to the Focus Fairies Mentoring Open House & Back-to-School Bash on August 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2150 S. Canalport Ave. This event features food, games, face painting, and a backpack giveaway—with the requirement that children must be present to receive supplies.
On August 17, Somos Arte Chicago will host its Books and Backpacks event at Humboldt Park, where students can access free books, backpacks, and art activities.
Mobilize Chicago will celebrate the start of the school year with their Tune-Up and Turnout: A Back-to-School Bike Ride on August 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Families are encouraged to join in on this 8-mile ride through North Lawndale to a scenic location at Humboldt Park Field House.
Citywide, Chicago Public Schools is organizing a series of Back to School bashes at multiple parks, including Columbus Park, Winnemac Park, Piotrowski Park, and Gatley Park Stadium on select dates, including July 29-30 and August 5 and 7. These events aim to gather families together and provide essential resources as the school year approaches.
With so many events planned, students and families in Chicago will have numerous opportunities to secure supplies and partake in entertaining activities that will make the transition back to school easier and enjoyable.
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