News Summary
This weekend, community organizations across New Orleans are hosting back-to-school events providing essential supplies, health screenings, and family activities to help students prepare for the school year. Events include giveaways and health services at various local venues, ensuring families have access to vital resources. Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s Neighborhood Cares event and multiple school supply distributions are among the highlights, with local businesses contributing to support these initiatives.
New Orleans – This weekend, several community organizations in New Orleans are rolling out back-to-school events aimed at helping families prepare for the upcoming school year. These events will provide essential school supplies, health screenings, and engaging family activities, all designed to support and nurture local students and their families.
The first event will be a walk-a-thon and giveaway held at Morris F.X. Jeff Sr. Park in Algiers on Saturday starting at 11:30 a.m. Simultaneously, Greater Saint Stephen is hosting a back-to-school event at Morton Hall, which begins at 10 a.m. Additionally, Abundant Life Church will offer a school supply giveaway from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, providing families an opportunity to secure needed items.
Another notable offering from DePaul Community Health Center will feature a school supply giveaway and health screenings for individuals of all ages. This event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the H3C Apartments parking lot on Erato Street. However, parents should note that the book bags will be limited to the first 150 children accompanied by an adult.
On Sunday, the HOPE organization is set to host a Splash Day and giveaway at Behrman Gym in Algiers, from noon until 3 p.m. These entertaining events come alongside initiatives from Inspire NOLA School, which is actively involved in various school supply distributions.
Families residing in Jefferson and Lafourche parishes can obtain uniform vouchers based on assessed needs. Jefferson Parish residents may contact their local community center for further information, while Lafourche Parish offers uniform voucher applications at the Mathews Complex and the Thibodaux Health Unit until the funding cap is reached.
These community efforts are bolstered by the support of local businesses and organizations supplying backpacks and school supplies. Some events will also feature additional services like free laptops, haircuts, vaccinations, food, and entertainment to create a vibrant atmosphere for attendees. For example, the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany will host a free event on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pelican Park. It will feature an Educational Expo, food vendors, children’s haircuts, and local performances, with the first 300 students receiving free backpacks filled with school supplies.
Victory Church is also offering a free school supply giveaway on Saturday, August 2, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., prioritizing supplies on a first-come, first-served basis, along with face painting and live performances. In addition, the STEM Library Lab is organizing a party for teachers on Thursday, July 24, where participants can receive high-quality classroom supplies and engage in networking opportunities.
Numerous other organizations will contribute to these community initiatives. For instance, Vicious Ryders MC will distribute free backpacks and school supplies starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 19. The United Way of St. Charles will host a drive-through backpack giveaway on Saturday, July 26, from 8 to 11 a.m., providing supplies for the first 500 attendees, as well as $25 gift cards to the first 200 cars. Notably, the Youth Empowerment Project (Y.E.P) and Ochsner Children’s Hospital will conduct a backpack giveaway at the New Orleans East Opportunity Center on Saturday, July 26, from 9 to 11 a.m.
Additionally, Mayor LaToya Cantrell and the City of New Orleans Neighborhood Engagement Office will coordinate a Neighborhood Cares event at Treme Rec Center on Friday, August 1. This event will kick off at 3 p.m. and feature free laptops, backpacks, haircuts, live music, and free food for attendees.
Other significant events scheduled for Saturday, July 26, include a distribution at McDonough 35 Senior High School by InspireNOLA, where over 50,000 items will be handed out starting at 10 a.m., and a drive-through school supplies distribution at the Xavier University Center from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Finally, a major back-to-school event at Greater St. Stephen on Saturday, August 2, will provide free supplies and health services, including screenings and vaccinations. To cap off the weekend, the third annual Back to School Boogaloo will take place at Joe W. Brown Park Recreation Center on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring free supplies, vaccinations, haircuts, and family-friendly activities.
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Additional Resources
- WWLTV: Community Groups Host Back to School Events
- WDSU: Back to School Giveaways in New Orleans
- NOLA: Free Backpacks for Back to School
- Axios: Free School Supplies in New Orleans
- Big Easy Magazine: Celebrating Back to School with Free Supplies
- Wikipedia: Back to School
- Google Search: Back to School Supplies
- Google Scholar: Back to School Initiatives
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Google News: New Orleans Back to School Events
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
