LOWELL — Mayor Sokhary Chau is pleased to announce the giveaway of 1,000 backpacks and school supplies to the city’s students.

The Back-to-School Block Party will take place Sunday, Aug. 27 at John E. Sheehy Park at 499 Pawtucket St., 3-6pm. In addition to the giveaway, the event will feature a live DJ, a live performance by Tee & The Gents, and a currently unnamed band featuring Mayor Chau’s son Philip and his friends. Ice cream and food trucks will also be available to partygoers.

“For many families, it can be a stressful time of year when the kids go back to school, especially for families with multiple kids,” Mayor Chau said. “Through this event, we hope we can ease the financial burden for families, especially the most vulnerable in our community. Every student deserves an opportunity to learn and reach their potential — having the right tools is an important step to making sure that happens.”

The 1,000 backpacks are generously provided by Lowell Public Schools. Support for the event is made possible by the Lowell City Manager’s Office, Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, Tenesha Scarlett and local partners.

Leading up to the event, Mayor Chau is asking the community for donations of school supplies. Donations can be brought to:

Mayor Sokhary Chau’s Office — Lowell City Hall
Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association — 465 School St.
Coalition for a Better Acre — 517 Moody St. 3rd Floor
Enterprise Bank (x2) — 430 Gorham St. & 222 Merrimack St.
Middlesex Community College — 33 Kearney Square
Digital Federal Credit Union — 564 Bridge St.
Lowell Community Charter Public School — 206 Jackson St.
UMass Lowell University Crossing — 220 Pawtucket St.

This year’s backpack giveaway follows the one Mayor Chau hosted last year at Roberto Clemente Park. Mayor Chau said the response to the event was overwhelming and many others in the city wanted to be partners.

For more information, contact Event Coordinator Tenesha Scarlett at tenesha.scarlett@yahoo.com