Sacramento, California – For many families, the back-to-school countdown starts long before the first bell rings. It starts with the list: backpack, notebooks, pencils, folders, lunch, a haircut, maybe even a bike that needs fixing before a student can ride to class.
In Sacramento, city and state leaders are trying to make that list a little lighter. Mayor Kevin McCarty, Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes and Assemblymember Maggy Krell are partnering again for their annual Backpack Giveaway, a free event meant to help local students begin the school year prepared, confident and ready to learn.
The giveaway is scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Northgate Park, located at 2825 Mendel Way in Sacramento. Organizers say all students are welcome.
The event will offer free backpacks and school supplies, along with haircuts, food and other services. Bike repairs will also be available, adding another practical layer to an event that is about more than handing out school materials. For students who walk, ride or depend on family schedules to get to school, small barriers can become big ones fast.
The annual drive brings together the Office of Mayor Kevin McCarty, Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes and Assemblymember Maggy Krell of District 6. Their message is simple: students should not start the school year behind because basic supplies are out of reach.
While the event is free, organizers are encouraging families to RSVP ahead of time. They also note that an RSVP does not guarantee a backpack, a reminder that supplies may be limited and demand could be high as families prepare for the new school year.
Back-to-school season often arrives with excitement, but also pressure. A new backpack can feel like a fresh start. A haircut can boost confidence. A repaired bike can help a student get to class. A meal at a community event can give families one less thing to worry about that day.
Families with questions can contact the organizers by email at [email protected] or [email protected].