What an event that took place Saturday morning throughout the afternoon in the City of St. Louis, August 12, 2023, at Better Family Life Cultural and Business Center, at 5415 Page Boulevard. And besides the free backpack giveaway, there was much more to enjoy like family activities, games and kids’ entertainment, a fire truck tour, the bounce house and music by live DJ’s. While there is a need for school supplies for students in the city of St. Louis, Better Family Life met those needs with the “Bookbag and School Supply Back To School Festival”.
Some students receiving free backpacks at the BFL “Back To School Festival 2023”.
Also, at the event were workshops, community resource vendors, job opportunities from on-site employers who conducted screenings and interviews looking to hire candidates. In addition, there was even a place on the inside of Better Family Life to get free haircuts.
And you can’t beat that!
There are around 80 to 90 thousand St. Louis students that need help starting school with the proper school supplies. Along with the school supplies that were given away, there were personal hygiene items given away as well, like toothpaste and deodorant. These school supply giveaways are a valuable resource for school age children, and it puts them on equal ground with other students who can afford school supplies. Moreover, these giveaways help take away that burden of financial cost for parents, who are otherwise struggling financially.
All images by Keith Watkins
As many would say, “You can’t have a festival without music”. BFL hired two DJ’s to bring the tunes with the sounds of traditional R&B to dance from party music to hip hop. There were also many live performances starting with The Saint Louis Brass Band, who kicked off the event with their energetic melodies coupled with poetic vocals from the front man. There were other performances like the West African Dance and Drum, Kitarra, King James and Gentlemen of Vision who is known for stepping.
Making sure the kids start the school year off on the right foot with not only bookbags but also school supplies (pens, pencils, crayons, markers) and personal hygiene products (toothpaste and deodorant).
