At the annual Backpack Extravaganza, 500 parish students will receive free backpacks, school supplies, hygiene kits and 500 backpack lunches provided by Second Harvest Food Bank.
The July 25 event, hosted by the United Way of St. Charles and Blessed To Be A Blessing, will run from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., or until supplies are gone, at Jerusalem Shriners in Destrehan.
The first 200 cars will also receive a $25 gift card. Children must be present to receive a backpack, and St. Charles Parish residents must provide a utility bill or ID to verify their residency. The event is a drive-through distribution.
The event is also sponsored by Shell, Valero, the St. Charles Parish School Board and the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Eliza Eugene, the founder of Blessed To Be A Blessing, said a family should never have to decide whether to pay a bill or purchase school supplies. She said one of the strongest predictors of juvenile delinquency is when a child starts school without the proper supplies.
“They are immediately disadvantaged, which can lead to frustration, disengagement, and eventual truancy,” she said.
Eugene said she knew from personal experience that a lack of school supplies can negatively affect a child’s self-esteem and grades. She grew up in public housing, and her mom was a single parent.
“She worked every day, but she struggled to make ends meet,” Eugene said.
The cost of back-to-school necessities is high. Parents can expect to spend an estimated $488 to $774 per child, which includes clothing and electronics, Eugene said.
“I think that it is very important for every child to have the proper tools for school on day one,” she said. “It is my goal to assist with reducing the financial burden for each family.”
Kacy Kernan, the director of community impact at UWSC, said every child deserves the opportunity to start the school year with the tools they need to succeed.
“Our annual Back-to-School Event is more than a school supply giveaway—it’s a celebration of what our community can accomplish when we come together to support local families,” Kernan said. “Together, we’re helping ensure that every student walks into the classroom ready to learn.”
