The office of Councilmember Al Austin, in partnership with a number of community organizations, will help more than 1,000 kids get ready for the start of school on Saturday, Aug. 25, when more than 1,000 children will receive backpacks filled with school supplies, health screenings, resource information and free food at the annual Back to School Summer Blast, according to Austin’s office.
The free end-of-summer event will take place from 10am to 1pm at Scherer Park, located at Del Amo Boulevard and 49th Street.
“For seven years, we have hosted this crucial event in the community that many families look forward to and rely upon, and it is always one of the highlights of the year for me,” Austin said. “It is important that our kids are healthy and return to school. The lack of school supplies should not be a barrier to success, and I am doing what I can to make sure every student has the tools they need to thrive.”
The event will also feature face painting, opportunity drawings, shaved ice, entertainment and fun for kids of all ages and the entire family, according to Austin’s office.
Kaiser Permanente and Benevolence Health Centers will perform health, weight, height and BMI screenings.
The Long Beach Police Officers Association will provide hot dogs.
This year, there will be a concert in collaboration with Northside Vinyl. There will be entertainment by Disrupt, Cryout! And Soul Cypher featuring Celestine Rap!, Kristen Ownes, Andrew Balboa, Jake Tittle and others. There will be also be art from Steve Martinez.
The event’s sponsors include: the Port of Long Beach, the Water Replenishment District of Southern California, the Long Beach Police Officers’ Association and Avanath-Northpointe Apartments.
Participating City departments include: the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Services Bureau, the Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine and the Long Beach Public Library.
Children must be present to receive backpacks, which will be available while supplies last.
More information about the event is available at (562) 570-1326.
Source: Austin’s office
