Supply Zone for Teachers to Host 20th Annual Back-to-School Blast-Off July 30 in Cocoa

first 2,000 students will receive free backpacks, school supplies, books, hygiene supplies and other necessities

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Supply Zone for Teachers will host the 20th Annual Back-to-School Blast-Off on Saturday, July 30 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., or supplies run out. The event will be held on the campus of Clearlake Education Center, 1225 Clearlake Road, Cocoa.

The first 2,000 students in attendance will receive free backpacks, school supplies, books, hygiene supplies, and other necessities.
Students must be in attendance to receive free school supplies; adults will not be given supplies for students who do not attend.

To participate students must be enrolled in Brevard Public Schools and have been recipients of the Free or Reduced Lunch Program. Students will be served on a first-come, first-served basis – no pre-registration is required. This year’s event will be an indoor, in-person event.

This event is made possible by The Highland Mint. Other sponsors include SMTC Corporation, Parrish Healthcare, jCARES, the Palaniyandi Family/AMBAL Inc., Viera Company, Ron Jon Surf Shop, and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Community.

This year it’s particularly important because inflation is taking a bigger bite out of household finances and the additional burden of purchasing school supplies makes budgets that much tighter.

The National Retail Federation, a retail trade group, recently released data that showed parents were cutting spending in other areas so that they can afford back-to-school shopping.

Back-to-school spending could come close to 2021’s record-breaking year. Families spent $37 billion on school supplies, according to the NRF.

“With over 56% of Brevard County students living on the brink of poverty, many come to school without basic supplies,” said Joan Perry, Development & Marketing Coordinator.

“We are really hoping for a good turnout this year and hope you can help us get the word out to parents about the July 30 event. We also have many community partners holding school supply drives and collecting supplies from the public.”

For more information about the Blast-Off event, please contact Pamela Lyons at 321-633-3660, ext. 31301 or lyons.pamela@brevardschools.org.

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