Back-to-school season in Pensacola is in full swing.
With students returning to the classrooms on Aug. 10 and prices on many items remaining high, organizations in the community are stepping up in order to provide assistance for kids and families across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The first tax-free weekend for back-to-school supplies is underway across the state and is in place until Aug. 6 under Gov. Ron DeSantis' tax-relief plan released in May. The exemption will cover a number of different school supplies and temporarily expands the exemption to toys and recreational items. The next tax-free weekends for school supplies will not begin until January.
Parents seeking to get supplies for their children can find some helpful events around both counties thanks to the efforts of organizers and donors.
More:Florida's first tax-free weekend for back-to-school supplies starts July 24. What to buy
Jubilee Church's 'For the one: Back-to-School Outreach'
Jubilee Church is holding its free back-to-school giveaway event at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds,6655 Mobile Highway, on Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon that will provide kids with backpacks, school supplies, haircuts and community resources for coming.
They plan to give away 2,000 backpacks filled with snacks, hygiene products and school supplies. Farm share has also agreed to provide 500+ families with meals for free in partnership with Jubilee Church.
C.A. Weis' 'Back to school Bash'
C.A. Weis Elementary School is hosting a back-to-school event featuring food, activities, free haircuts and a limited backpack giveaway on Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Vision screenings, immunizations, school physicals and registration assistance will also be provided at the event. Children aged 3, 4, 5 and 11 are the only ones eligible to get a physical or immunization and you must schedule an appointment by calling 850-912-6006.
Fricker Community Center
HYPE Pensacola is holding a back-to-school giveaway and health fair at the Fricker Community Center, 900 N. "F" St., on Aug. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Food, drinks, school supplies and more will be provided for their seventh annual giveaway event.
Kingdom Builder's 'Community Outreach Event'
Kingdom Builders Christian Ministries church is hosting their back-to-school event at 8512 N Palafox St. on Aug. 5, 2023. There will be a book bag giveaway, free food and drinks in addition to free haircuts.
Activities like face painting, bounce houses, poetic expressions and gaming stations will be available as well.
DT Preparatory Academy's 'Back 2 School Carnival'
DT Preparatory Academy is hosting an event filled with supplies, games and vendors. The event is scheduled for Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1480 W. Detroit Blvd.
Kids and parents can attend the event for free and win school supplies for the upcoming year. Tickets are available for free and attendees are not required to be students of DT Preparatory Academy to participate.
Florida Blue's 'Back-to-school event'
Blue Cross Blue Shield's local affiliate Florida Blue is hosting a free event on Aug. 5 with giveaways and opportunities to learn more about their membership perks and community resources. It will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1680 Airport Blvd.
Attendees will receive a free backpack for visiting a participating Florida Blue center as long as their supplies last. A parent or guardian must be present with children to receive a free backpack and there is a limit of three backpacks per household.
No pre-registration is required to attend.
Brian's 'Back-to-school supply drive'
Brian Ranelli, candidate for the Escambia County District 4 school board seat, is hosting a back-to-school supply drive on Saturday, July 29 at the Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Ave., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Parents can donate or receive supplies based on of their need. Attendance is open to all.
Code Ninjas 'Back 2 School Bash'
Code Ninjas is hosting a back-to-school drive coupled with coding lessons on Aug. 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Their instructors will be hosting workshops and tutorials for anyone interested regardless of experience.
There will also be games, tech demos, giveaways and even a 'hackathon challenge' that ill put teams of kids together to solve coding puzzles and create projects.
Attending the event is free, but pre-registration is encouraged by Code Ninjas.
Chappie James' Fundraiser Backpack Giveaway
Chappie James Flight Academy will be giving 250 backpacks away at its annual event on Aug. 3 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for children between the ages of 5 and 17. The event will be held at 1608 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and admission is free.
Food and activities will be provided at the event as well as a flight simulator that is open for viewing and demonstrations.
SJD 'Back-to-School Bash'
St. John Divine Missionary Baptist is hosting a free back-to-school event at its church, 620 E. Jordan St., on Aug. 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Haircuts and supplies provided free of charge as well.
Activities will include a bounce house, horseback riding and performances by gospel rappers. Vendors will be present throughout the event for refreshments.
The above list was compiled using the best available information at the time of writing. If there are any discrepancies or additional events not mentioned here, please send an email to ebunch@pnj.com.
