Over 4,000 students in Oak Cliff are equipped with new backpacks, brimming with essential school supplies, at no cost to them.
Next week, most districts in North Texas are set to start the new school year, and in Dallas, families are preparing with the help of multiple free Back-to-School Festivals. One such event, the 11th annual For Oak Cliff Back-to-School Festival, is taking place in three days.
Organised by For Oak Cliff and Kershaw's Challenge, with the generous sponsorship of the Witherite Law Group, this festival aims to make a significant impact on local families. Over 4,000 free backpacks filled with school supplies will be distributed, and the event will also feature food trucks, a kids' zone, a job fair, and live local performers.
A unique aspect of this festival is the Shoesday giveaway, offering $100 gift cards to over 100 families for new shoes for their children. Amy Witherite, owner of the Witherite Law Group, expressed hope that the event would benefit the local community.
In addition to the For Oak Cliff festival, there are two other free Back-to-School Festivals in Dallas this year. The Not My Son Back-to-School Festival, organised by Not My Son, will take place on August 9th at J.P. Hawn Park. This event offers free backpacks, uniforms, shoes, and school supplies, as well as carnival games, live entertainment, healthy snacks, community resources, and vote simulations.
The Dream Center Dallas Back-to-School Drive, happening earlier in August, serves younger children (K-6) with free backpacks, shoes, and supplies, along with family activities. No pre-registration is required for this event.
All these events emphasise free entry, family-friendly environments, and community support to prepare students for the school year. Pre-registration is typically recommended or required for receiving supplies at some events, while others allow first-come, first-served access or on-site registration.
For those interested in sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, the Not My Son event provides a direct email ([email protected]) and donation links. Dream Center Dallas and For Oak Cliff also have official websites and community partner mentions.
These Back-to-School Festivals are not just about providing school supplies; they are about alleviating unexpected expenses associated with school supplies, as expressed by Miranda Bluitt, a parent. They are about offering additional resources such as job fairs and community celebrations. And most importantly, they are about supporting local families and preparing students for the new school year.
With the start of the school year just around the corner, these Back-to-School Festivals are a beacon of hope for many families in Dallas, Texas. The long line of parents and students outside For Oak Cliff's Community Campus indicates high participation in the event, and the total cost of the items distributed is approximately $65,000.
As students in Dallas ISD prepare to return to school on Tuesday, Aug. 12, these Back-to-School Festivals are providing a much-needed boost, ensuring that no child is left behind. Backpacks will also be distributed in the 75216 area, including south Oak Cliff and Mark Twain, for those who missed the festival.
References:
[1] Not My Son Back to School Festival: https://www.notmysondallas.org/ [2] Not My Son Back to School Festival: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/not-my-son-back-to-school-festival-2025-tickets-530881838937 [3] For Oak Cliff 11th Annual Back to School Festival: https://www.facebook.com/events/907-e-ledbetter-drive-dallas-tx-75216/1058314829192620/ [4] Dream Center Dallas Back to School Drive: https://www.dreamcenterdallas.org/ [5] For Oak Cliff 11th Annual Back to School Festival: https://www.wfaa.com/community/back-to-school-festivals-in-dallas-2025/article_d3715342-4d40-11ed-a5a8-e78c717e4a76.html
- The 11th annual For Oak Cliff Back-to-School Festival, sponsored by the Witherite Law Group, is not only about providing free backpacks and school supplies, but also aims to offer additional resources like job fairs and community celebrations, as reflected by Amy Witherite's hope for community support.
- In addition to the For Oak Cliff festival, the Not My Son Back-to-School Festival and the Dream Center Dallas Back-to-School Drive are also free events in Dallas this year, offering various resources such as uniforms, carnival games, healthy snacks, and community resources.
- Organized by Not My Son, the Not My Son Back-to-School Festival is not just a place to receive free school supplies; it also provides vote simulations, live entertainment, and donation links for those interested in sponsorship or volunteer opportunities.
