LYNN — The Salvation Army is hosting its third annual back-to-school bash on Aug. 30 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in its parking lot at 1 Franklin St.
This event — which will occur rain or shine — will include a DJ, bounce house, food and more.
Public school students from kindergarten through high school and their families are invited to attend this event, where they will also be able to receive backpacks and school supplies, while supplies last.
Capt. Helen Johnson of the Salvation Army said the organization previously hosted events like this in Boston, but that it was a tough location for Lynn residents to get to. Now that the bash is being hosted locally, Johnson said she is “excited to rev it up.
“The tricky part about an event like this is having enough supplies for everybody,” she said.
The amount of school supplies depends on the number of donations received, so Johnson said the amount varies. Although attendees do not need to RSVP, the school supplies will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
A bulk of the donations come from Walmart, which has a national agreement with the Salvation Army.
Donation bins will also be dispersed at the local Walmarts on the Lynnway in Lynn and on Broadway in Saugus.
“Last year, we ran out of school supplies in an hour,” Johnson said. “So we encourage everyone to donate whatever they can so there is more supplies for the students in need.”
The Salvation Army — in partnership with Shop Sync and the Lynn Public Library — will accept donations of backpacks, pencils, notebooks, crayons, markers, erasers, sharpeners, colored pencils, folders, binders, pencil cases and any other types of school supplies.
In addition to receiving donations, attendees can spend the day playing games, snacking, meeting Salvation Army officers and local officials and dancing to music.
“We did something like this last year, but it was more lowkey and not many students needed school supplies, since everyone was at home,” Johnson said. “Now that people are returning to school, we’re hoping to see a big turnout and hopefully receive a lot of donations.”
Donations will be accepted until Aug. 25 at the Walmart locations and Salvation Army.
