Families preparing for the upcoming school year will have a chance to pick up free backpacks, school supplies, and connect with dozens of community organizations during the eighth annual Christmas in July Back-to-School Event later this month.
According to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, more than 1,200 students from across Northern Nevada are expected to receive free backpacks filled with school supplies and hygiene essentials during the event.
The free community event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, located at 2680 E. Ninth St. in Reno. It is open to students from prekindergarten through high school.
Families can also enjoy carnival games, interactive displays, community resource booths and opportunities to meet Sheriff Balaam, deputies and members of the Washoe County Sheriff's Office. Specialty units, including SWAT, Search and Rescue, Motors and others, will display their cars and equipment throughout the event.
No registration is required. Backpack distribution will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and a parent or guardian must accompany students.
The event began in 2019, serving 265 children during its first year, and has since grown into one of the region's largest back-to-school outreach events. In addition to school supplies, organizers say families can access books, meals, giveaways and free onsite services designed to help students prepare for the school year.
Community resource booths scheduled to attend include:
Access to Healthcare Network
Alpine Academy
American Red Cross
Asian Community Development Council
AT&T
Awaken
Be SMART Northern Nevada
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada
Black Wall Street
CareSource
Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada
Community Service Agency
Costco Wholesale, Sparks
Division of Social Services
Doctoroo
Food Bank of Northern Nevada
Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada
Join Together Northern Nevada
Karen Monrreal Law
Liberty Dental Plan
Molina Healthcare of Nevada
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Nevada Cancer Coalition
Nevada Health Authority
Nevada Health Link/Silver State Health Insurance Exchange
Northern Nevada Barber Academy
Quest Counseling
Safe Routes to School
Sam's Club
School for a Beautiful Life
Silver Summit Health Plan
Small Smiles Dentistry
Spread the Word Nevada
The Children's Cabinet
TIP of Northern Nevada
Washoe County District Attorney's Office
Washoe County Library System
Washoe County Senior Services
Washoe County Sheriff's Office MOST
Washoe County School District Safe Routes to School
And more
