HOUSTON – The start of the 2024-2025 school year is right around the corner and the City of Houston is working to ensure parents and students have all the tools necessary to succeed before returning to campus.
At 10 a.m. Tuesday, Houston Council Member At-Large Position 1, Julian Ramirez spoke on behalf of Mayor John Whitmire, who could not make it at the last minute, to provide details on the 14th annual Mayor’s Back 2 School Fest Presented by Shell.
Each year the City partners with Shell to help economically disadvantaged elementary students in the Houston area by providing them with backpacks and school supplies. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, August 3 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Council Member Ramirez was joined by Christina Jones, vice president of Human Resources at Shell USA as well as Amy Ragan, Executive Gifts Officer at Houston Food Bank, and Susan Christian with the Mayor’s Office of Special Events.
“I’m honored to stand with Councilman Ramirez and Amy Reagan to support our community through this partnership, as well as other programs and initiatives that allow us to together, be part of moving everybody forward - from education and workforce development to environmental efforts,” Jones said. “Equipping students for success is as important to them individually as it is to all of us, as a broader community. Shell’s continued engagement demonstrates our commitment to supporting academic success, and to help to grow the future supply of diverse talent in the areas of critical workforce skill shortages. This will help to keep Houston thriving and competitive.”
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According to the City’s website, this year’s event will fill additional gaps - not just providing school supplies.
“In addition to distributing 25,000 backpacks with school supplies, the event will feature on-site health screenings to include: dental screenings and sealants, vision screenings, and routine immunizations,” the City said. “The event also connects families to a wide range of health and social services offered by community agencies. There is a continued need for assistance with basic school supplies and health screenings for Houston-area students.”
Parents who would like to register their students may do so by clicking here.