BACK TO SCHOOL: Events, giveaways in greater Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The new school year is just around the corner. Several community organizations are hosting events and giveaways to help get children ready to go back to school.

Saturday, Aug. 8

• Capital Area Human Services is hosting a free community health and back-to-school event for residents of West Baton Rouge Parish on Saturday, Aug. 8. The event is from 9 a.m. until noon at Williams and Lee Park, 749 North Jefferson Avenue in Port Allen. Attendees will receive free health and wellness resources, school supplies, and book bags.
• CACRC’s Back to School Bash is happening on Saturday, Aug. 8. The event is from 9 a.m. until noon at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library- Main Branch (Outdoor Pavilion), 7711 Goodwood Boulevard in Baton Rouge. The fun, family-friendly event will have door prizes, community organizations, and resources. There will also be affordable refurbished desktops, laptops, and Chromebooks, as well as low-cost hotspot devices and internet plans.
• District 3 EBR School Board Member Carla Powell is hosting CC’s 3rd annual Back to School Prayer Breakfast and Resource Fair on Saturday, Aug. 8. The event is from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. in the Dr. John E. Montgomery Auditorium at Greater King David Baptist Church, 222 Blount Road in Baton Rouge. Registration is required.
• EBR Schools is hosting its Drive-Thru Backpack Giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 8. The event is from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at EBR Schools Central Office, 1050 S. Foster Drive in Baton Rouge. Students in grades K-12 will receive a free backpack filled with school supplies while supplies last. Children must be present in the vehicle to receive a backpack. One backpack per child.
• On the Move For Christ Faith Ministry and Truth and Transformation Christian Therapy are hosting a back-to-school giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 8. The event starts at 11 a.m. at the Lagniappe parking lot, 5755 Main Street in Zachary. There will be praise and worship with DJ Brazille live, prayer, and words of encouragement for youth before they go back to school, face painting, free food and drinks, and free backpacks with school supplies.
• Councilwoman Carolyn R. Coleman is hosting the District 10 annual School Supply Giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 8. The event starts at 1 p.m. at the Leo S. Butler Community Center, 950 Lorri Burgess Avenue in Baton Rouge. There will be free school supply giveaways while supplies last, health screenings, food and drinks, resources, fun, and more.

Sunday, Aug. 9

• Best Cuts Barbershop is hosting its 10th annual Cuts 4 the Community on Sunday, Aug. 9. The event is happening from 1:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Glen Oaks Senior High School, 6650 Cedar Grove Drive in Baton Rouge. There will be free haircuts, simple hairstyles for girls, food, activities, and a teacher’s corner featuring free classroom supplies and more for teachers.

Saturday, Aug. 22

• The East Baton Rouge Parish School System is hosting its “Falling in Resources” Community Resource Fair on Saturday, Aug. 22, for parents, caregivers, and students. The free event is happening from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Inspiration Center, 5509 Winbourne Avenue in Baton Rouge. It is an opportunity to connect with organizations, learn about available programs and services, and gather resources to support student success throughout the school year.

Ongoing Events

1. WAFB and St. Vincent de Paul’s Uniforms for Kids campaign is underway through Aug. 3. Each uniform costs $15, and St. Vincent de Paul is asking for monetary donations so new uniforms can be purchased for students. School supplies are also being accepted. Drop-off locations are listed here.
2. Muse Mentorship Collective has launched the Back to School Period Power Drive, a community-wide period product drive benefiting pre-teen and teenage girls throughout the Baton Rouge area. From July 1 through Aug. 7, community members can donate menstrual and hygiene products, including pads, panty liners, tampons, feminine wipes, and period underwear. The drop-off location is at 830 Main Street in Baton Rouge.
3. Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor is hosting the Assess the Need parish-wide school supply drive. Associated Grocers stores are taking donations on Friday, July 31, Saturday, Aug. 1, Friday, Aug. 7, and Saturday, Aug. 8. Volunteers will be at the stores from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the two Fridays, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the two Saturdays. Donations can also be dropped off Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the assessor’s office on Government Boulevard in Livingston.

Submit your back-to-school giveaway or event on WAFB’s community calendar.

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