Community Access Services (CAS) will host the annual backpack giveaway and back-to-school community fair on Friday, August 21 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. located at 3297 Bailey Avenue.

With a focus on eradicating health inequities by providing unconditional care, CAS distributes hundreds of backpacks and supplies each year to ensure students have the essentials for a confident school year. The event will feature kid-friendly activities, community resources, information tables, food, music, rapid HIV testing for adults, and much more.

“CAS is committed to empowering communities of color by connecting them to healthcare and local resources,” said Kim Brown, executive director for Community Access Services. “Unconditional care goes beyond appointments with a provider and access to medication. It means meeting the needs of our community in any way we can.”

Each backpack will include pens, pencils, notebooks, a ruler, scissors, and a book. The giveaway is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies run out, and the child must be present at the event to receive a backpack. This event is made possible through the support of Gilead Sciences.