Back 2 School Bash Offers Free Supplies for Low-Income Families in Craig County
New Shoes for A New School Year
Volunteer Cindy Price assists a young student try on her new socks and shoes during the 2019 Back 2 School Bash. Each student attending this year's event on Saturday, Aug. 6, will also receive a brand new pair of shoes and socks if they need them.
Lending a Hand
Volunteer Kelly Grimmett adjusts the straps on a youngster's new backpack at the 2019 Back 2 School Bash. Backpacks filled with school supplies are part of the free giveaways that students Pre-K through 12th grade will receive at this year's bash on Saturday, Aug. 6.
More Than 500 Students Served
Volunteers and members of the Craig County Christian community, local organizations and businesses distributed free backpacks, school supplies and more during the 2019 Back 2 School Bash, the last time the event was held in-person. After two years as a drive-thru due to the pandemic, this year's Back 2 School Bash will once again be held in-person at the Craig County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Aug. 6.
Donations, vendors and volunteers are still needed
for the fun and helpful event set for Saturday, Aug. 6.
Summer has flown by and it’s time for parents and kids to start getting ready to go back to school.
The Craig County Christian community, Grand Nation Inc., Neighbors Helping Neighbors and local businesses are once again teaming up to help low-income families in Craig County prepare for school by throwing a Back 2 School Bash.
After the Covid pandemic forced the bash to be held as a drive-thru for the past two years, Craig County Back 2 School Bash Coordinator Shannon Baker announced that this year’s 7th annual Back 2 School Bash will return to an in-person event.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6, Craig County students from Pre-K through 12th grade are invited to come be a part of this fun and helpful event at the Craig County Fairgrounds, 915 East Apperson Road, Vinita.
The Back 2 School Bash will include lots of free giveaways, including backpacks and school supplies. Each student who needs them will also receive a brand new pair of shoes and socks.
There will also be games, inflatables, face and fingernail painting, as well as lots of other activities for everyone to enjoy during the event.
And, what’s a bash without food? Cotton candy, hot dogs, chips, popcorn and bottled water will also be available for attendees of the Back 2 School Bash.
Designed to assist students and families prepare for the start of the new school year, last year’s Back 2 School Bash provided supplies to more than 500 students. This year, Baker said, they are planning on 600 students attending the Back 2 School Bash. Everything will be given away on a first-registered, first-served basis.
Pre-registration at www.grandnation.org is required for each student to attend the bash. The deadline to register is Tuesday, Aug. 2.
Each student’s grade and shoe size are needed to complete the registration. If you don’t know the correct shoe size, Baker recommends having the student try on a pair of shoes at Walmart before registering them.
All students attending the Back 2 School Bash must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The Back 2 School Bash is a free event made possible by the generosity of the Craig County Christian community, as well as local organizations and businesses.
Baker said there is still a need for financial donations, vendors and volunteers for the event, as well as donations of new athletic tennis shoes in all sizes and no-show socks.
To make a donation, be a vendor or sign up to volunteer at the Back 2 School Bash, contact Shannon Baker at (918) 244-5523 or, for more information on the event, call Grand Nation at (918) 276-2192.
ABOUT GRAND NATION
Grand Nation is a nonprofit grassroots coalition that has been serving the Grand Lake area since 2012. An umbrella organization for a number of different programs, Grand Nation joins families seeking a better life with the resources and community organizations that can help them achieve their goal. Located at 123 S. Wilson, in Vinita, Grand Nation serves the communities of Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, including Vinita, Grove, Jay, Afton, Ketchum, Langley, Miami, Bluejacket and Spavinaw. The phone number is (918) 276-2192.
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