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(ABC 6 News) – For the fourth year in a row, Rochester families celebrated the end of summer with a street festival and back-to-school parade.
The event provided the children with 1,000 backpacks full of school supplies, as well as haircuts, coats, hygiene kits and more, free of charge.
Starting school can be a financial burden for many families, and lack of access to important materials and resources can negatively impact a child’s academic performance.
“When a child is hungry, when a child is poorly clothed, when a child is sick, um, when a child’s family is unhoused, it impacts their academic success,” said Dr. Kent Pekel, superintendent of Rochester Public Schools.
The event was created to bridge this gap and help every child get what they need to excel this school year.
“When we give away a backpack or help a parent get a haircut or whatever we offer, I think it makes a big difference,” said Bud Whitehorn, our community officer.
Event organizers say the investment in their community is worth every penny.
Organizers said the event gets bigger each year and they hope to reach even more children with materials and resources next year.
