Load up on back-to-school supplies at one of these High Desert events
While smoke from 4th of July fireworks has barely cleared, several organizations in the High Desert are preparing to help students get back to school.
A Back 2 School Food Drive Event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday at the High Desert Second Chance warehouse at 16666 Smoke Tree in Hesperia.
The pre-registration event, sponsored by Azusa Pacific University Nursing School students and the Ready 4 Reading Book Club, will include free backpacks, a bike raffle and games.
A free lunch will be provided by Rockabilly Mafia Dolls and a clothing closet will be offered by Swapping Mamas Clothing Swap Closet.
During the event, parents can sign up for the backpack giveaway on July 21 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville.
Some of the organizations assisting with the event include Foundation for Change, Rock’n Our Disabilities, God’s Hand Extended, Victor Valley Rescue Mission, Community Health Action Network and the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.
For more information and to register, call 442-267-4444 or visit facebook.com/HighDesertSecondChanceOrganization.
Special needs families
Rock’n Our Disabilities will host a “Back to School Backpack Giveaway” for special needs families from 11 a.m to 2 p.m on July 20 at the Rick Novack Community Center at 13558 Palm Street in Hesperia.
More information on the pre-registration event is available online at facebook.com/rocknourdisabilities or rocknourdisabilitiesfoundation.org.
Victorville Fairgrounds
The Victor Valley Rescue Mission, High Desert Second Chance and Impact Christian Church will host its annual “Drive Through Back Pack Giveaway” at the SBC Fairgrounds in Victorville.
The giveaway is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon on July 21 and is designed for low-income, qualifying students from preschool to 12th grade, who will enter the fall semester and reside in the High Desert except for Adelanto.
The Adelanto Elementary School District will host a separate backpack giveaway event for AESD students only.
The event will include free fresh food boxes, backpacks, socks, fun giveaways and more.
Other sponsors of the event include the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, High Desert Church, Young Visionaries and the SBC Fair.
Proof of income and designated High Desert residence are needed to register for the event.
Residential areas include Apple Valley, Lucerne Valley, Barstow, Victorville, Hesperia, Oak Hills, Silver Lakes, Oro Grande, Phelan and Pinon Hills.
If pre-registrants arrive without or incomplete documents, they will be asked to leave and return with the required documents, which will only be accepted from 8 a.m. to noon on the day of the event.
The entrance gate opens at 8 a.m. on Plaza Drive and the line forms on Seventh Street. All traffic attempting to enter the event via La Paz Drive will be redirected to Seventh Street.
The SBC Fairgrounds is located at 14800 Seventh Street. To register and for more information, visit facebook.com/VVRescueMission.
Victorville Community Resource Center
A “Back to School Family Day” is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 29 at the Victorville Community Resource Center at 12353 Mariposa Road Unit C2 and C3 in Victorville.
Hosted by the Inland Empire Health Plan, the event includes a free backpack, goodies and an appearance by the IEHP Superheroes.
The event is for children ages 4-17 and while supplies last. A parent/guardian must be present with the child. For more information, call 866-228-4347 opt 5.
Barstow High School
The “6th Annual Community Back to School Event” is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. on Aug. 5 at the Don Bilsborough Gym at Barstow High School, 430 S. First Avenue.
The first-come-first-serve event for preschool to high school-aged students will include free backpacks, raffles, giveaways, music, ice cream and more. Children must be present to receive a backpack.
If you would like to donate school supplies to the event, contact Aaron Salas or drop off donations at Reliance Legal at 328 S. Second Avenue in Barstow.
For more information on the Barstow event, visit facebook.com/barstowbackpacks.
Adelanto
Information on the back-to-school event hosted by the Adelanto Elementary School District will be updated here as more information is available.
Donations needed
A Greater Hope needs supplies for its annual back-to-school event. The High Desert-based nonprofit is looking for donations of new backpacks and school supplies such as pens, pencils, paper, crayons, thumb drives and more.
With offices in Barstow and Victorville, Greater Hope assists families interested in fostering. For more information and to donate, visit aghope.org.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Back-to-school events planned in Adelanto, Barstow, Hesperia and Victorville
