Are you looking for some help to get your kids ready for school? Here’s some options
Does your child’s school supply list seem endless? Are you scrambling to make sure she has a haircut? School uniforms? Immunizations?
With the 2021-2022 school year around the corner — the first day for public schools is Aug. 18 in Broward and Aug. 23 in Miami-Dade — organizations, foundations, political leaders and other community groups are hosting events to make sure stuudnts have what they need for successful academic year.
“We want to make sure that children have what it takes to start a new school year and succeed,” said Las Olas Chabad Rabbi Chaim Slavaticki. The synagogue has teamed up with several organization in Broward to offer a drive-through backpack giveaway on Sunday.
Slavaticki, who has held food, toy and other giveaways weekly for more than a year, said so many people have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and are struggling for basics.
“We want children to understand that education is the most important thing,” he said. “They are our future.”
Back-to-school events
MIAMI-DADE
▪ Kiddos 2021 Annual Back-to-School event, presented by Dade County Federal Credit Union, will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Suniland Park, 12855 Pinecrest Pkwy. in Pinecrest. The event, which is free and open to the public, will include arts and crafts, face painting, science and art projects, storytelling, safety, sports, performances, character meet and greets, free backpacks. For more information, email vlepere@kiddosmagazine.com
▪ King Jesus International Ministry (also known as El Rey Jesus) will hold a Back 2 School Slam backpack giveaway from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Perrine Gardens Apartments Circle, 10161 Circle Plaza West. The event will feature music, food, face painting, children’s activities, a graffiti wall. There will be 400 backpacks with pencil case, pencils, pens, erasers, sharpeners, glue sticks, a box of crayons, and a ruler inside distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit www.kingjesus.org/back2school.
▪ Mount Hermon Miami Gardens will hold a drive-through community backpack kit giveaway and walk-up parent resource station from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 17800 NW 25th Ave. in Miami Gardens. For more information, visit mthermoname.org.
▪ The Hialeah Cares Back to School Drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Miami Dade College - Hialeah Campus, 1780 W. 49th St. Food and backpacks will be distributed while supplies last. For more information, call Ryan Small at 305-237-8871.
▪ Blessed with Elegance Events and New Generation Church will hold a drive-through Backpack Giveaway at 10 a.m. Aug. 15 at the church, 940 Caliph St in Opa-locka. For more information visit https://www.newgenerationmbc.org.
BROWARD
▪ The Broward Sheriff’s Office Deerfield Beach district is hosting a school supply giveaway from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex, 445 SW Second St. in Deerfield Beach. Students must be present to receive a backpack with supplies. Recipients will drive through to pick up backpacks from the Natura Boulevard gate and pedestrians will be allowed to walk up from Southwest Third Avenue. For more information call Deputy James Nichols at 954-480-4300.
▪ New Mount Olive Baptist Church will hold the 2021 Back 2 School “Pop And Pack” Drive Thru Backpack Giveaway from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of the church at 400 NW Ninth Ave. For more information, call 954-463-5126 or visit mountolive.org.
▪ Las Olas Chabad will host a Drive-Thru Backpack and School Supply Distribution at noon Sunday the center at 1302 East Las Olas Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. The Chabad has teamed up with the City of Fort Lauderdale, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Fort Lauderdale Police, Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County, Friendship Cafe and Zebersky Family Foundation to provide the backpacks and supplies, which were donated by WeatherTech, DxWeb and The Norman and Bettina Roberts Foundation. Backpacks and school supplies will be given on a first come first serve basis, until supplies run out. For questions or to volunteer, email Office@JewishFL.org.
▪ The City of Dania Beach is hosting a beach cleanup day and backpack giveaway from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Dania Beach Pier. Attendees are asked to wear their favorite school’s colors. All cleanup materials will be provided including gloves, baskets and buckets for cleanup. Community service hours available. The back giveaway will be at the end of the clean up. To register visit facebook.com/TheTrashPirates.
▪ Lauderhill Commissioner Lawrence “Jabbow” Martin, the Parks and Recreation Department, and the Broward Estates/St. George Civic Association will hold a Drive-Thru Back to School Backpack Giveaway and Fun Day Aug. 14 at St. George Community Park, 3501 NW Eighth Street in Lauderhill. The backpack giveaway will be from 10 a.m. to noon and the fun day will be from noon to 4 p.m. There will be free school supplies for elementary, middle, and high school students. For more information, call 954-791-1039 or email cjones@lauderhill-fl.gov.
▪ Hope Community Church will host a free food and school supply distribution from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 15 at the church, 1700 NW 98th Ave. in Pembroke Pines.
▪ McDougle Technical Institute, at 1901 N. Federal Hwy. #201 in Pompano Beach, is offering free haircuts for children and teachers for back-to-school Tuesday through Friday during the month of August by appointment only. Services include shampoo, haircut and barber services. Appointments for services can be scheduled by contacting Ms. Kendra or Ms. Perez at MTI 954-972-0635.
This story was originally published August 6, 2021 at 7:00 AM.
