Hundreds of families turned up for free backpacks, school supplies, activities like a bounce house, raffles, and a free meal of hamburgers and hot dogs

Hundreds of Woodland students received free backpacks filled with school supplies at Woodland Public Schools’ sixth annual Back to School Bash on Sat., Aug. 20.

This year marked the return of indoor activities as COVID restrictions have been lifted. Hundreds of families turned up for free backpacks, school supplies, activities like a bounce house, raffles, and a free meal of hamburgers and hot dogs prepared by Woodland’s dedicated food services staff.

Gabrielle “Gabby” Meador, Woodland Public School’s coordinator for its Family and Community Resource Center, organized this year’s Back to School Bash by lining up donors and volunteers while organizing the myriad of other details required for the event’s ongoing success. 

“The Back to School Bash continues to be one of the most popular events we put on all year, and we couldn’t do it without our community partners who volunteer at the event as well as those who donate funds and supplies,” she said. “We receive amazing support from our community to ensure this event continues to be the outstanding success it is.”

In addition to free backpacks filled with school supplies for all students, every attendee also had the opportunity to enter a free raffle for door prizes provided by many businesses in and around the Woodland area. The key to the event’s success lies in teamwork, collaboration, and organization. “The return to the full-fledged event thanks to the lifting of pandemic restrictions was truly exciting,” said Meador. “Watching students and families having fun and exploring the various resources on-hand makes all the work so satisfying!”

In order to achieve its goals, the FCRC relies on the support of local businesses and community organizations. “We couldn’t offer our programs without the generous and ongoing support from our outstanding local organizations and community members,” said Meador. “The Woodland community maintains a tradition of rallying around helping those among us in need.”

About Woodland Public Schools’ FCRC:

The Woodland Public Schools Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) provides resources and services to students and their families in need who live in either Cowlitz or Clark counties.

To find more information about the free services offered by the FCRC or to learn ways you can support the FCRC, visit the Woodland Public Schools website at www.woodlandschools.org/fcrc or call the FCRC directly at (360) 841-2718.

Learn more about how Woodland Public Schools educates students and serves the community by visiting the dedicated news webpage at www.woodlandschools.org/news/wsd

Information provided by Woodland School District.