On Sunday, Aug. 7, any elementary school student in need of school supplies or a backpack is invited to Heritage Park for an afternoon of family fun and free supplies.
Although many churches in the area typically hold such events on their own, this year, the newly reformed Friends of East Brainerd community group joined with several area churches to make the giveaway more inclusive and to reach a broader range of students.
“We wanted to come together just for the community,” said event organizer Candy Potts, secretary for FOEB and administrator at Brainerd Presbyterian Church. “There is no church advertising, this is all for the kids. All the kids of East Brainerd. We thought we could do more for the kids and show Jesus’ love this way better.”
Typically, Brainerd Presbyterian’s annual back-to-school event draws roughly 60 elementary kids in need and their families, Potts said. But with the merging of back-to-school events and available supplies, she said she hopes to reach 200 or more students in need.
In addition to school supply giveaways, the event will offer refreshments, an inflatable bouncy house and more.