READY, SET, LEARN. PHA and Sharswood Grocery Outlet Host a Backpack Giveaway and Resource Fair to Get Students Ready for Classes

MEDIA ADVISORY
EVENT DATE: AUGUST 15, 2024

Contacts: For PHA: Nichole Tillman, [email protected]; 215-888-2869

READY, SET, LEARN

PHA and Sharswood Grocery Outlet Host a Backpack Giveaway and Resource Fair to Get Students Ready for Classes

WHAT: A DJ will spin the tunes as Sharswood Grocery Outlet, owned by celebrated youth entrepreneur Donta Rose, partners with the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) to sponsor a backpack giveaway and resource fair. PHA and Grocery Outlet will provide up to 1,000 free book bags - filled with notebooks, pencils, and other essential school supplies - for elementary, middle school, and high school students on a first-come, first-served basis. It's a back-to-school celebration as PHA's public safety officers serve up water ice to children, a jump rope competition gets underway, dancers kick up their heels, and 500 campers from PHA's summer camp program gather to celebrate a rite of passage: PHA's Dare to Prepare Celebration. PHA's CEO and President, Kelvin A. Jeremiah, will attend and speak.

WHEN: 11:30 to 3 PM Thursday, August 15, 2024

WHERE: The corner of Jefferson Street and Ridge Avenue, near PHA's headquarters, and the Grocery Outlet parking lot at 2077 Ridge Avenue. Come check out the new Sharswood Ridge, which has an urgent care center, bank, gym, and grocery serving the thriving and newly renovated neighborhood.

VISUALS: Ed Snider Youth Hockey and Education and the Eagles Eye Mobile Lab Van join the PHA lineup of partners this year. Tasty treats will be available from the Ugly Plate Food Truck, with a menu of hotdogs, hamburgers, and sausages for guests and grab-and-go boxes for children participating in one of PHA's summer camps. More than 40 partner organizations will offer services and resources to the youth, including Right 2 Read Philly, the Black Brain Campaign, Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia, Everest Urgent Care, U.S Navy, Philadelphia Job Corp. Youth Build, Educators 4 Education, Temple University WELL Program, and more.