Several local groups and organizations are working together to provide fun events for children to enjoy before they enter the school year. There will be free school supplies for any child who needs them.
Craven County Schools will begin the 2022-23 school year on Monday, August 29.
A local business has pledged to donate to the children of JT Barber Elementary School.
Omar Bacote, community outreach specialist for AT&T, said their event Saturday is a drive to collect school supplies to distribute at the elementary school.
“Many of the students who attend JT Barber live in low-income neighborhoods in New Bern,” Bacote said. “We wanted to help make sure everyone had the supplies they need to help them succeed this school year.”
Here’s a list of some of the back-to-school events happening in the area.
Fill the bus
Craven County Partners in Education President Jason Jones and BSH Home Appliances Vice President Andy MacLaren announced that BSH Home Appliances has agreed to be the title partner of Stuff the Bus for the fourth consecutive year.
With that comes PIE’s annual Stuff the Bus event. Scheduled for Saturday, August 20th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in front of Staples in New Bern, generous shoppers can donate school supplies for students who have been identified as needy by their school counselors and principals.
The collected material will be disbursed once school starts by the school principals, according to a statement from PIE.
Volunteers from schools and the community will be on hand and honking the horn of the school bus, which will be parked in front of Staples, whenever a donation is made as a thank you.
A shopping list is currently available on the PIE website at CravenPartners.com and appears on individual school websites. Monetary donations will be accepted through the PIE website.
For those unable to attend the event, please feel free to drop off school supplies throughout the year at the PIE office located in the Craven County Schools Central Services Office at 3600 Trent Rd .
AT&T
3194 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd., New Bern
This event is a supply drive to benefit students at JT Barber Elementary School. There will be food trucks, funnel cakes, drinks, face painting, music and more from 1-4pm Friday at the store.
Donations can be made in store during business hours and during the event. The Craven Community Barbering program will provide free haircuts during the event. There is no fee for sellers, but a donation is requested. For more information, contact Omar Bacote at 252-772-5337.
Craven Jaycees County Fairgrounds
Back to school will take place on Saturday from 11am to 7pm at the fairgrounds.
There will be a foam party and a chance for the kids to show off at the GellyBall! There will also be slides, bounce houses and kid-friendly vendors on site. Wristbands are $10 for all-day play. Children up to four years old are free. To purchase your tickets in advance, visit eventbrite.com.
Pruitt Health-Trent Campus
From 11 am there will be a back to school event on the premises. They will give away free school supplies.
New Bern Seventh-day Adventist Church
On Sunday, August 21, from 3 to 5 p.m., an ice cream social will be held. Children of all ages can attend. Attendees can bring board games to play while enjoying their ice cream.
The New Ministry of Broadcasting Liberation
Free back-to-school supplies will be distributed daily from 10 am to 3 pm through September 10. For more information, contact Bernadette King at 252-626-3513.
Forward vision
The large field of Craven Terrace
Vision Forward will be hosting its annual back-to-school supply event from 11am to 2pm on Saturday, August 20 at the Craven Terrace Grand Field.
There will be bounce houses, face painting, information vendors and vendors. Children must be present to receive supplies. Lunch will be provided. In conjunction with Vision Forward, the event is presented by Preservation Management. Burn City MC, Trinity Chapel AME Zion Church and Mount Calvary MB Church. For more information, contact Victor Taylor at 252-617-2537.
Pembroke Community Centre
A back to school cookout will be held on August 27th from 4-9pm there will be free school supplies and food, cake walks, bounce houses, games, music and more. There will also be a performance by the Dazzling Dancers. For more information, contact Kem Slade at 252-349-3660.
