LIHU‘E — The Back to School Bash presented by Kukui Grove Center and a host of generous businesses and individuals has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the center.
“Due to mechanical issues beyond our control, the supplies will arrive on-island later than we had planned for,” Melissa McFerrin-Warrack of Kukui Grove said in a letter sent to the program’s sponsors. “With additional support, we are working on having more supplies available on an overflow table on July 24 for those who were not able to book reservations.”
Reservations that were created for the Saturday, July 17 event will be honored on July 24.
The Back to School Bash is a free school-supplies giveaway that will feature a drive-thru format with two different school bags, one geared for students in grades kindergarten through five, and the other for students in grades six through 12. The COVID-19 health and safety protocols, including the wearing of face masks, will be observed.
The state Department of Education, Kukui Grove and a host of community partners established a goal of 3,000 school bags of supplies. The program also gathered gift cards for the DOE to help fulfill student needs at each school throughout the year.
“The need is great,” McFerrin-Warrack said. “This year, the back to school supplies event booked out in record time, in less than three hours. However, there is a waitlist to ensure that all bags are distributed. This is a wonderful accomplishment during a difficult year.”
Additionally, backpacks have been allocated for the DOE Parent Community Network Center coordinators and the homeless to ensure that students who could not register and have the need could still be reached.
During bash day, July 24, the center will host a variety of back-to-school-related activities, including a vaccine clinic hosted by Wilcox Health in partnership with the state Department of Health, the overflow table of school supplies, and back-to-school specials from center tenants.
“We want every child to be able and get something,” McFerrin-Warrack said. “Our goal is to provide our keiki and youth with as many backpacks as possible.”
The Back to School Bash is presented with support from Kaua‘i credit unions, DOE, Wilcox Health, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, Spectrum, Kaua‘i Board of Realtors, Kamehameha Schools, Layton Construction, Island Metals, Target and other community partners.
For more information, email McFerrin-Warrack at info@kukuigrovecenter.com.
Part time or full time classes. As in all day in class and sports with that too.