Children, parents and teachers across Cumberland County are already looking ahead to an exciting new school year.
I share that excitement—because this fall marks 29 years of providing Kidsville News!, our free reading and educational newspaper, to families and teachers in Cumberland County’s public, private and Christian schools.
Strong reading skills are essential to every child’s success, and Kidsville News! has always made reading fun, engaging and confidence building. This year, families won’t have to wait until school starts to get their copy. Thanks to the generosity of many local businesses and community organizations, Kidsville News! will be available at numerous Back to School events happening throughout Fayetteville and Cumberland County.
These partners are stepping up in a big way—offering backpack giveaways, free school supplies, health screenings, haircuts and other vital educational resources to help families prepare for a successful school year. I love working with these folks, and I’ve made sure they have plenty of Kidsville News! newspapers to distribute right alongside those backpacks and school supplies.
These Back to School events are designed to help students begin the year with pride, excitement and confidence. The community is coming together to help prepare for the school year, and we are excited to be a part of it. Together with my friends at Up & Coming Weekly, we’ve rounded up a list of upcoming events so families can easily find the one closest to them.
Kidsville News! remains a free reading and educational resource filled with STEM content that is both challenging and fun. Quantities will be limited at each event, so if your location runs out, call me at 910 391 3859, and I’ll direct you to the nearest spot where you can pick up a copy.
Here’s to a great school year ahead—and to the children, families, educators, and community partners who make Cumberland County such a wonderful place to live, play, and learn.
Oh, yeah! Thank you for reading Publisher Bill’s newspaper.
Best Regards,
Truman

August 1

Back to School Supply Giveaway at Sherwood Park Elementary School, 2115 Hope Mills Rd., 10 a.m.: Free school supplies while supplies last. There will be fun surprises and additional giveaways.

Back to School Book Bag & Supplies Giveaway at Powerhouse of Love and Faith, 4919 Murchison Rd., noon: Clear/mesh book bags and school supplies will be given away
until supplies last.

August 8

Back to School Jam & Health Fair at 301 North Cool Spring St., 11 a.m.: There will be a backpack and school supply giveaway. The Back to School Jam will include games, bounce houses, face painting and food trucks.

Back to School Jamboree at 5777 Holland St., 11 a.m.: They will be giving away backpacks, toiletry packs, haircut and hairstyling vouchers and clothing. Also enjoy games, prizes, resource vendors, food and drinks.

Back 2 School Community Giveback at 6900 Cliffdale Rd., Suite 307, 11 a.m.: Give a pair of new shoes to start the school year. The child must be present and going to school in the 26/27 school year. There will be on-site registration and one pair per child.

Back 2 School Fest at 6830 Ramsey St., 10 a.m.: School supplies will be given away with free haircuts, haircare sessions and a dental clinic. Enjoy games, bounce houses, a dunking booth, Zumba class and live music.

Community Bash at 451 Buhmann Dr., 10 a.m.: Free food, backpacks, health screenings and dental screenings available.

1st Annual Back to School Bash at 6773 Overhills Rd., 11 a.m.: Enjoy free haircuts, mini manicures and a school supply giveaway while supplies last. Also enjoy games, music, food, raffles, door prizes, vendor shopping, community resources and live music.

Annual Back to School Giveaway at 5869 Yadkin Rd., 9 a.m.: School supplies will be given out for Kindergarten through 12th grade. The child must be present.

Back to School Bash at 1411 Rim Rd., 10 a.m.: Free school supplies will be given out to kindergarten through 12th-grade students. The child must be present to receive supplies. Also enjoy food, a bounce house, community vendors, giveaways and prizes.

August 13

Back to School Jam at 2801 Rosehill Rd., 10 a.m.: Backpacks and school supplies will be given away. Enjoy games, a bounce house, face painting and food trucks.

August 15

Back to School Giveaway at 324 Coverly Square, noon: Enjoy a day of community, shopping, and fun with a free school supply giveaway for children and classroom supplies for teachers, while supplies last. Also enjoy local vendors, food trucks, community resources and music.

Back to School Giveaway Pop-Up Shop at 3069 Cumberland Rd., Suite 102, noon: This event will feature a school supply giveaway, community resources, music, raffles and giveaways.

Back to School Giveaway at Mendoza Municipal Park, 1774 Little River, Spring Lake, 10 a.m.: They will be giving away bookbags, food and clothes while supplies last.

Books, Backpacks, & Beauty at Heritage Park, 5445 Lakeview Rd., Hope Mills, 11 a.m.: This free community back-to-school event will give out free school supplies, free haircuts, free hairdos, free hygiene products and free snacks.

Back to School Giveaway at Dick's House of Sport, Freedom Town Center, 2741 Freedom Parkway Dr., 10 a.m.: This event will support local autism families and the neurodiverse community. They will be giving away free school supplies and backpacks.

Back to School Bash at 352 Devers St., 11 a.m.: They will be giving out school supplies, hygiene products, classroom essentials, healthy snacks and gift cards.

Back to School: School Supplies Giveaway at VFW Post 6018, 116 Chance St., 11 a.m.: They will be giving out free backpacks filled with school supplies, while supplies last. Students must be present and school age, kindergarten through 12th grade. Refreshments will also be served.

Back to School Bash at East Hoke Middle School, 200 Fayetteville Rd., Raeford, 9 a.m.: They will be giving out free school supplies.

Back to School Bash at Segra Stadium, 460 Hay St., 10 a.m.: Blue Star Families has partnered with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers to host this event for 100 military-connected children. Families will enjoy meeting the Woodpecker players, batting practice, prizes, giveaways, food and drinks. Registration is required at https://tinyurl.corm/29hwf2nw.

I Love My Community Celebration & Giveaway (Day 1) at 3421 Murchison Rd., noon: Receive free school supplies while also enjoying resource vendors, music, food, community activities and community support. Students must be present to receive school supplies.

August 16

I Love My Community Celebration & Giveaway (Day 2) at Crown Complex, 1960 Coliseum Dr., 3 p.m.: This is a drive-thru school supply pick-up event. Students must be present to receive school supplies.

5th Backpack Drive-Thru Giveaway at 1866 Brawley Ave., 3 p.m.: They will be giving away essential school supplies for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. One backpack per student while supplies last. Students must be present.

Back to School Community Event at Lake Rim Rec Center, 1455 Hoke Loop, 2 p.m: They will be giving away school supplies. There will also be a bounce house, grilled food, music, face painting, and community fun for the whole family.

August 21

Ritchie the Lion's 5th Annual Back to School Event at Red Coat Design Studio, 7707 S. Raeford Rd., Ste 109, 11 a.m.: Ritchie the Lion will be giving away backpacks, school supplies, clothing, hygiene items and snacks.

Back to School Backpack Giveaway at VFW Post 670, 3928 Doc Bennett Rd., 6 p.m.: They have over 100 backpacks filled with school supplies to give away to kindergarten to High School students. Students must be present to receive supplies.

August 22

Fayetteville Community Back to School Unity Day at 500 Fisher St., noon: This event will have a free backpack giveaway with live music, dance team performances, motivational speakers, school readiness resources and local vendors.

Back 2 School Event at 1111 Ireland Dr., Suite 103, 9:30 a.m.: School-aged children will receive free backpacks with supplies. There will also be free hairstyles, haircuts, and wellness sessions. Please call to make an appointment at 910-491-9571.

Back to School Explosion at 4616 Murchison Rd., 1 p.m.: There will be free clothing for kids, teens, and adults, vendors, and resources.

August 23

Back to School Bazaar at 4101 Raeford Rd., 3 p.m.: This event will have free school supplies and backpacks. There will also be community resources, vendors, food, music, youth activities, a double-dutch competition and a dance showcase.