WCPS Back-to-School Bash connects families with resources before new School Year

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Hundreds of Warren County families gathered Tuesday afternoon as Warren County Public Schools hosted its annual Back-to-School Bash, helping students prepare for the start of another school year.

Held at Hillvue Heights Church, the event featured approximately 50 community vendors, free school supplies, backpacks, T-shirts and information about services available to local families. Organizers said the event serves as a one-stop opportunity to connect parents with resources before classes begin. 

“It’s a great start of the year for our families to be able to meet up with some community resources, see what resources are available to them and interact with everyone else in the community,” Jimmy Bailey, youth service center coordinator at Warren Central High School, said.

Bailey said the Family Resource and Youth Service Centers use the event to identify needs families may have as students return to school.

“Our primary goal is assisting in taking away any kind of barriers between home and school for these families,” Bailey said.

Each year, between 800 and 1,000 people attend the Back-to-School Bash, with around 50 community partners participating to connect families with valuable local resources before classes begin. 

“We have right about 800 to 1,000 people total coming to these events, and today we have 50 vendors that came out to support,” Bailey said.

Bailey said Family Resource and Youth Service Centers serve as a bridge between families and community organizations.

“We’re a broker of resources. We don’t have every resource or every answer, but we’re here to make sure families can get connected with the right people,” Bailey said.