ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Multiple backpack giveaway events are taking place across Central Florida this weekend, spanning from Ocala to DeLand to Bithlo, helping families offset rising back-to-school expenses.
Hundreds gathered Saturday at Orange County’s back-to-school bash in Bithlo, where organizers distributed free backpacks to students preparing for the upcoming school year.
Despite the heat and humidity, families participated in various activities, including cooling off at a splash pad, connecting with community resources, enjoying face painting, and playing games while receiving their free backpacks.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
Kids could also pick up other school supplies like water bottles and calculators.
“We got 500 backpacks to give out for elementary, middle and high,” said Orange County District 5 Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad. “It’s so many families that are in need right now and just being out here to be in the community, to connect them with the resources that they need just makes it so easy for them to get the help and the assistance that they need.”
While pre-registration was encouraged for the event, organizers allocated an additional 100 backpacks for each age group to accommodate families who arrived the morning of the giveaway, ensuring students would have supplies before the first day of school.
[MORE: Help purchase supplies for Central Florida teachers as they head back to school]