Free school supplies at four drive-thru events in Aurora this weekend
As thousands of Aurora students prepare to begin a restructured start to the school year, Aurora is redesigning the way free school supplies are distributed by offering drive-thru back-to-school fairs.
The annual back-to-school fairs sponsored by the City, aldermen and various community partners may look different this weekend, but each will still provide Aurora students with the supplies needed to have a successful school year.
Families can receive free school supplies - and more - at one of four primarily drive-thru events from Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16:
• Alderman Jenkins' Back-Tt-School Fair
On Friday, Aug. 14, Alderman-at-Large Sherman Jenkins and AAMOU will host the 12th annual Back-to-School Fair — in partnership with Ward 4 Alderman Bill Donnell, Ward 6 Alderman Mike Saville and community partners - with free school supplies and free groceries for families.
The drive-thru fair begins at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 at Greene Field Park, 774 Illinois Ave.
• Alderman Garza's Back-to-School Giveaway
On Saturday, Aug. 15, Ward 2 Alderwoman Juany Garza and the Ward 2 Committee host the 15th Back to School Celebration with free school supplies and snow cones for participants. The drive-thru event begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 15 at Sacred Heart Church, 771 Fulton St. Please note the new location.
• Communities In Schools Back-to-School Fair
The 26th annual Aurora Back to School Fair, co-sponsored Communities in Schools and the City of Aurora, will provide free school supplies to participants. The drive-thru fair will begin at 1 p.m.. on Saturday, Aug. 15 at Phillips Park, 100 Ray Moses Drive. Please note the new location.
• Alderman Hart-Burns' Back-to-School Bash
On Sunday, Aug. 16, Ward 7 Alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns, Main Baptist Church and community partners will host the 33rd Annual Back-to-School Bash with free school supplies, backpacks, hot dogs, ice cream, socks and T-shirts for participants. The drive-thru event will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 16 at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, at the corner of Farnsworth Avenue and Grand Boulevard.
While all events are organized for a drive-thru format and families are encourage to participate via vehicle, walk-ups will also be honored.
To download full English and Spanish versions of flyers for each event, visit www.tinyurl.com/BackToSchoolAurora2020.