Back2School Bash set for Aug. 8 in Edgewood

EDGEWOOD — The East Mountain Food Pantry is launching a new initiative to ensure local students head back to the classroom with full backpacks and full bellies.

The regional nonprofit has announced its upcoming “Back2School Bash,” a free community event aimed at providing food and school supplies to area children ahead of the academic year. The event is scheduled for August 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Venus Park in Edgewood.

Organizers have set an initial goal to distribute at least 100 specialized food and supply packs directly to area students.

“Help us reach our goal of distributing at least 100 food and supply packs to students in our community,” the organization said in a statement on its website, rallying local residents and businesses to back the initiative.

To turn the supply drive into a festive community gathering, the food pantry is transforming Venus Park into a hub of activity. The event will feature local vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment. In an effort to keep the focus entirely on community support, the nonprofit is waiving all vendor fees for participating artisans, independent businesses, and food trucks.

However, local regulations will apply. Organizers noted that all participating vendors and food trucks must provide proof of an active Edgewood business license to be eligible. The pantry is actively seeking local musicians, face painters, and other performers to volunteer their talents and bring energy to the park.

The organization is also opening doors for corporate partnerships. Area businesses are being invited to sponsor the event or host independent children’s activity booths, giving companies the creative freedom to design and run games or activities for the attending students.

To meet its 100-pack distribution goal, the East Mountain Food Pantry is relying heavily on public donations. The nonprofit has published a specific wishlist of high-priority items, divided into nutritional needs and academic tools.

Requested food items focus on shelf-stable, kid-friendly meals and snacks, including pancake mixes, hamburger helpers, Rice-A-Roni, canned ravioli, SpaghettiOs, oatmeal, granola bars, protein bars, rice, beans, and single-serve macaroni and cheese. On the academic side, the pantry is collecting essential school supplies such as backpacks, binders, notebooks, loose-leaf paper, crayons, markers, pens, pencils, rulers, and pencil boxes.

The pantry plans to stretch monetary contributions by purchasing a large portion of its baseline supplies in bulk, utilizing specialized kits that bundle backpacks with foundational school supplies.

Monetary donations are being accepted through a dedicated Givebutter crowdfunding page setup specifically for the Back2School Bash. For physical donations or vendor and sponsorship inquiries, community members are instructed to coordinate directly with the pantry’s event team via email.

Based in Tijeras, the East Mountain Food Pantry operates as a partner agency of the Roadrunner Food Bank, serving families across the East Mountain region.

To learn more about the event and for contact information visit https://www.eastmountainfoodpantry.com/backtoschool