Vendors interacting with students at a previous Springfield Public Schools event. (Photo: Stephen Hall, SPS)

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Springfield Public Schools is hosting a “Back to School Bash” at the Springfield Expo Center this Saturday.

From 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. families can stop by and receive a number of free items and services that help prepare students and families for the return to school on Aug. 22.

The Bash is open to all SPS students and families, and organizers are giving away backpacks, socks, hygiene kits, groceries, immunizations and more.

SPS has 5,000 backpacks to give away to students in grades K-12 with the help of Bass Pro, Care to Learn and Convoy of Hope, said Stephen Hall, SPS chief communications officer.

A sample of the 5,000 backpacks that are going to be donated on Saturday. (Photo: Stephen Hall, SPS)

The free items are first come, first serve.

Hall said the purpose of this event is not only to celebrate the return to school, but also to provide support for families.

“This is a demonstration of what a caring community we have,” Hall said.

This event will also provide food and entertainment for children, including bounce houses and hands-on STEM learning activities.

The Bash was created as part of SPS Superintendent Grenita Lathan’s entrance plan. Lathan, as well as other district officials, will be attending this event.

Abigail Zajac

Abigail Zajac is a general assignment intern at the Springfield Daily Citizen. She’s currently a sophomore at Missouri State University studying creative writing and sustainability. Zajac is interested in arts, culture and the environment. More by Abigail Zajac