School-aged youth and their parents or guardians are invited to The Huss Project, 1008 Eighth St. in Three Rivers, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. It’s time once again for the Back to School Celebration.
Five-hundred backpacks with school supplies will be handed out, according to Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma, the executive director of *culture is not optional. As many as 1,500 people, including students and caregivers, have attended previous celebrations.
“It’s first come, first served,” Vander Giessen-Reitsma said. “There’s no registration in advance. It’s just a simple sign in process. Also, children receiving a backpack have to be accompanied by their parent or guardian. You can’t just come and say, ‘Hey, I need 10 backpacks.'”
Backpacks are available for elementary, middle school, and high school-age students, with appropriate school supplies. Celebration organizers try to provide the highest quality items they can, and are able to do so thanks to fundraising and a wholesale buying arrangement.
The Back to School Celebration is taking place during the combined Huss Project Farmers Market and Second Saturday Art Market. People are encouraged to make a day at The Huss Project.
“We’re going to have a community carnival. There will be 15 organizations that provide services to the community. While the kids can play different games or receive different things, the parents and guardians can learn information on things that can be valuable to their families,” Vander Giessen-Reitsma said.
As of Thursday, August 8, the carnival will include:
- Branch Hillsdale St. Joseph County Community Health Agency
- Bible Baptist Church – Constantine
- Community Action Head Start
- Community Action South – Central MI
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (*culture is not optional)
- Fraternal Order of the Moose
- Immaculate Conception School
- KeyStone Place
- South Michigan Food Bank
- St. Joseph Intermediate School District
- T-Mobile
- Three Rivers Area Mentoring
- Three Rivers Partnership
- Three Rivers Public Library
- Thrive Academy
The backpack giveaway, carnival, farmers market and art market will also include live music and food.
“We’ll have the Mema’s Kitchen food truck, plus the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra with a ‘Musical Storybook’ at 10. It’s ‘Back on the Farm.’ At 11, the Five Directions Wind Ensemble will be performing,” Vander Giessen-Reitsma said.
More information is available on Facebook.
Frank Stanko is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
