Las Vegas Organizations Mobilize for Back-to-School Support

Families gather to receive supplies at a Las Vegas back-to-school event.

News Summary

As the Clark County School District prepares for the new school year, several Las Vegas organizations are stepping up to assist families in need. Events like the Cox Communications’ Back To School Fair and the United Way’s Operation Back-to-School Drive are providing essential supplies for students. Local businesses and nonprofits are also engaging in community efforts to ease the financial burden on families as they prepare for classes, ensuring that every child has the resources they need to succeed.

Las Vegas – As the Clark County School District prepares to resume classes on Monday, August 11, various organizations in the area are mobilizing to offer essential support for families gearing up for the new school year. With many families facing rising costs for school supplies, these events aim to provide assistance and help students start the year prepared.

Cox Communications is leading the charge with its annual Back To School Fair, which kicked off on July 19 and will continue for four consecutive Saturdays. This event is noted as the largest school-readiness initiative in Southern Nevada, where families can receive limited free backpacks filled with essential supplies. Representatives from the Clark County School District and local nonprofits will be available to provide additional resources and support.

In addition to Cox Communications, the Nevada Treasury is holding a community event that promises to supply essential school supplies and resources for students. Similarly, the Las Vegas South Premium Outlets is hosting a back-to-school celebration featuring shopping deals, giveaways, and entertaining games. Shoppers who donate new school supplies or socks at this venue will be rewarded with an extra gift, encouraging community participation in supporting local students.

The United Way of Southern Nevada (UWSN) is currently conducting its Operation Back-to-School Drive until August 4, collecting vital school supplies for children in need. Concurrently, J-Cares, a Jewish community service initiative, has launched a supply drive targeting 150-200 Southern Nevada students, welcoming both school supplies and monetary donations.

Additionally, Clark County Family Services is running a back-to-school supply drive until July 25, specifically catering to children in foster care. Volunteer opportunities are being organized as part of this initiative. Hussong’s restaurants in Las Vegas are also participating by collecting school supplies from July 21 to August 8, offering rewards to encourage donor engagement.

On the health front, Nevada Health Centers and Ronald McDonald House Charities are organizing the Annual Smarts & Smiles Back-to-School Dental Care Fair, catering to patients aged 21 years and under, ensuring that children not only have educational supplies but also receive essential dental care before the school year begins.

The VGK Foundation, in coordination with the Vegas Golden Knights, has announced plans for back-to-school initiatives, including a supply distribution event on August 2 where 1,500 backpacks filled with school supplies will be distributed to local students.

A recent report indicates that families are anticipating spending an average of $858 on back-to-school expenses this year, which includes essential items such as electronics, clothing, and supplies. In light of this, over 700 students benefitted from free school supplies at a giveaway event held at Mojave High School, showcasing a significant community effort towards education support.

To further assist families, the Free Boutique will host a Back-to-School Bash on July 26 in Henderson, focusing on providing gently used clothing to those in need and also accepting donations for the cause. Additional supply giveaways are scheduled throughout late July and early August across various locations in the Las Vegas Valley, continuing the drive to ensure every student has a successful start to the school year.

This collective effort from Las Vegas organizations underscores the community’s commitment to supporting families amid increasing financial pressures as the school year approaches.