Independence Day celebrations are over and several groups are preparing events to help High Desert students return to school.
Several organizations have scheduled back-to-school backpack giveaways, including the decades-old Victor Valley Rescue Mission, which will cease operations this year.
The rescue mission’s Great High Desert Backpack Giveaway is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon on July 24 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds at 14800 Seventh Street in Victorville.
Pre-registered pre-K to 12th-grade students at the free event will receive fully stocked backpacks. The event will also include fresh food boxes, clothes, shoes, haircuts, books, face painting, art, resource booths and raffle prizes.
There will also be dental screening exams and exams by Community Health Systems. To schedule an appointment, call 951-713-0560.
To register for the rescue mission’s event, visit bit.ly/2025HDBackpack, or facebook.com/VVRescueMission.
Back to School Bash – Hesperia
Restore Unity will partner with several groups to host a Back to School Bash from noon to 3 p.m. on July 12, at 17508 Hercules Street, Ste. B6 in Hesperia.
The event will include free school supplies, food, games, prizes and music. To register, visit restoreunity.org/back-to-school-bash.
Moses House Ministries
Moses House Ministries will host its Back-to-School Bash from 10 am. to 1 p.m. on July 19, at First Assembly of God Victorville, at 15260 Nisqually Road.
Nearly 500 backpacks will be given to pre-registered students TK through 12th-grade at the event that will include food vendors, resource booths and a limited number of free haircuts. To register, visit facebook.com/MosesHouseMinistries.
Barstow Community Back-to-School
The 9th Annual Barstow Community Back-to-School event is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. on July 25, at Barstow High School, 430 S. First Avenue.
The event for Pre-K to 12th graders will include free backpacks, music, raffles, giveaways and surprises. For more information, visit facebook.com/barstowbackpacks.
Back to School Bash – Apple Valley
The 2nd annual Back to School Bash is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 2, at New Life Facility at 18888 Outer Hwy. 18 in Apple Valley.
Hosted by 111 Hope Foundation and New Life Facility, the event will include free backpacks, notebooks, pencils, crayons, a raffle and other supplies. Visitors will also be treated to free popcorn and cotton candy. To register, visit facebook.com/111hopefoundation.
Ready, Set, School!
Snunch Pack Charity Event, Hesperia Night Vibe and Kafe Through Khaos will present its ‘Ready, Set, School! Supply Giveaway” from 2 to 6 p.m. on Aug. 3, at the Hesperia Grange Hall, 16682 Yucca Street in Hesperia.
The registration deadline is July 31, for the Pre-K to 12th grade event that includes free school supplies, vendors, food trucks, face painting, live kids band and more.
To register, search Snunch Pack Charity Events on Facebook.
This list of events may be updated as more information becomes available.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Backpack giveaway events help High Desert students prepare to return to school
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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