Free school supplies, haircuts, foam party, ice cream highlight Back To School events

Tina Adkins, Sun Journal
·4 min read
Craven County Partners in Education will hold their annual Stuff the Bus event on Saturday, Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of Staples in New Bern.
Craven County Partners in Education will hold their annual Stuff the Bus event on Saturday, Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of Staples in New Bern.

Several local groups and organizations are working together to bring fun events for kids to enjoy before they delve into the school year. Free school supplies will be available for any child who is in need.

Craven County Schools will start their 2022-23 school year on Monday, Aug. 29.

One local business has made a commitment to donate to children at J.T. Barber Elementary School.

Omar Bacote, community outreach specialist for AT&T said their event on Saturday is a drive to collect school supplies for distribution at the elementary school.

"Many of the students who attend J.T. Barber live in the lower income neighborhoods of New Bern," Bacote said. "We wanted to help make sure that all of them would have the supplies they need to help them succeed this school year."

Here is a list of some of the Back to School events that will be happening in the area.

Stuff the Bus

Craven County Partners in Education president Jason Jones and BSH Home Appliances Vice President Andy MacLaren announced that BSH Home Appliances has agreed to be the title partner for Stuff the Bus for the 4th consecutive year.

With that, comes PIE's annual Stuff the Bus event. Scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of Staples in New Bern, generous shoppers can donate school supplies for students who have been identified as in need by their school counselors and principals.

The supplies collected will be disbursed once school starts by the school principals, according to a news release from PIE.

Volunteers from the schools and community will be on hand and honking the horn of the school bus, which will be parked in front of Staples, each time a donation is made as a way of showing thanks.

A shopping list is currently available on the PIE website at CravenPartners.com and is listed on the individual schools’ websites. Monetary donations will be accepted through the PIE website.

For those who can’t make it to the event, feel free to drop off school supplies year-round at the PIE office, located in the Craven County Schools Central Services office at 3600 Trent Rd.

AT&T

  • 3194 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., New Bern

This event is a supply drive to benefit students at J.T. Barber Elementary School. There will be food trucks, funnel cakes, drinks, face painting, music and more from 1-4 p.m. Friday at the store.

Donations may be made at the store during business hours and during the event. The Craven Community Barbering Program will be providing free haircuts during the event. There is no fee for vendors, but a donation is requested. For more information, contact Omar Bacote, at 252-772-5337.

Craven County Jaycees Fairgrounds

  • 3700 U.S. 70

A Back to School Bash will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the fairgrounds.

There will be a foam party and a chance for kids to try their hand at GellyBall! There will also be slides, bounce houses, and kid-friendly vendors on site. Armbands are $10 for all-day play. Children four and under are free. To purchase your tickets in advance, visit eventbrite.com.

Pruitt Health-Trent Campus

  • 836 Hospital Drive

A back-to-school event will be held beginning at 11 a.m. S at the facility. They will be giving away free school supplies.

Several Back To School events are planned to help families get ready for the 2022-2023 school year.
Several Back To School events are planned to help families get ready for the 2022-2023 school year.

New Bern Seventh-day Adventist Church

  • 2404 U.S. 70 East

An ice cream social will be held from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21. Kids of all ages are welcome to attend. Attendees are welcome to bring board games to play while enjoying their ice cream.

The New Outreach Deliverance Ministry

  • 1118 S. Glenburnie Road

Free back-to-school supplies will be distributed daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Sept. 10. For more information, contact Bernadette King at 252-626-3513.

Vision Forward

  • The big field at Craven Terrace

Vision Forward will present its annual Back To School Supply Giveaway event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 in the big field in Craven Terrace.

There will be bounce houses, face painting, information vendors and vendors. Children must be present to receive supplies. Lunch will be provided. Along with Vision Forward, the event is presented by Preservation Management. Burn City MC, Trinity Chapel AME Zion Church and Mount Calvary MB Church. For more information, contact Victor Taylor at 252-617-2537.

Pembroke Community Center

  • 2000 Moore Ave.

A back-to-school cookout will be held from 4-9 p.m. on Aug. 27 and there will be free school supplies and food, cake walks, bounce houses, games, music and more. There will also be a performance by the Dazzling Dancers. For more information, contact Kem Slade, at 252-349-3660.

Union Baptist Church

  • 1214 Raleigh St.

In memory of Michael Purdie, the 18th Annual Back to School Drive will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at the church. There will be free food, bounce houses, face painting and more. Kids must be present to receive supplies. For more information, contact Anita Fenner at anfenner41@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: Foam party, ice cream, free school supplies at Back to School events