VALDOSTA — The city hosted a Back-to-School Community Block Party for city and county school residents Saturday at Drexel Park.

The block party helped supply children with school supplies, hair cuts, health screenings and more.

“We know the struggles many of our fellow citizens face each year when it is time to send our students back to class,” said Ashlyn Becton, city public information officer. “This is a huge undertaking but we feel more students will be assisted by coming together to coordinate one community event.”

The event was coordinated by the city Neighborhood Development Office in conjunction with other organizations, Becton said.

“It can cost on average $50 to $75 to equip one student with the needed school supplies to start each school year from grades (kindergarten) through 12th,” she said.

The cost to supply a student through the remainder of the school year is $35, she said. Preparation is essential for students to be successful in their futures.

Shatara Austin came to the back-to-school event with two of her three children. She has a child in elementary, middle and high school.

“It’s always good when the community does something like this, because a lot of parents don’t have that extra help,” she said. “Every little thing helps. It’s great that they do this for those students who can’t get those extra supplies.”

Austin said she planned to visit every booth to see what was offered.

Andrea Alcatar is aunt and guardian of six children; she brought them to the back-to-school party.

“It’s amazing; it’s a blessing, because when you have got that many kids and you are buying school clothes you can’t afford it,” Alcatar said about the block party. “So, the community comes together and God makes a way, and you have what the kids need so they aren’t going without.”

But more than not having school supplies, it helps Alcatar’s children from having to ask for supplies from their peers.

“(The children) are excited about it,” she said. “They said now they don’t have to borrow or tell their teachers they don’t have it, or let the other kids see them go without. And it’s important to fit in. That’s very important.”

Supplies were given out on a first-come, first-serve basis and more than 900 students were registered to receive supplies before the event began Saturday. 

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1257.