The 11th annual Back to School Bash, hosted by Spalding Collaborative, will kick off Aug. 8 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Griffin City Park. All parents and students are invited to join the event, which features free entertainment, free clothing, free hot dogs and, most importantly, free school supplies for parents and children. A variety of vendors and resources will provide parents with information on available services in the community.

Due to overwhelming responses from parents in the past, Spalding Collaborative has increased the number of supply bags it plans to give away to 1,500, up from 1,200 last year, said Will Doss, associate pastor at Eagles Way Church and former executive director of the collaborative. Of those 1,500 bags, elementary school children will receive 1,000, and 500 will go to students in middle and high school.

However, organizers are asking the community to donate supplies and money to make the event a success. Particularly notebook paper, pens, pencils rulers, crayons, markers, two-pocket folders and primary grade writing tablets are still needed. Supporters and donors can take supplies directly to The Salvation Army, 735 Meriwether St., until Friday, July 31. Money donations should be made out to the Spalding Collaborative, said Doss.

Kathy Leger, chair of the Back to School Bash, believes all supply needs will be met in time.

“I’m confident because this is a giving community,” she said. “I feel like they are going to come through.”

The annual Back to School Bash takes place the first Saturday after the beginning of the new school year, so school children can receive a reminder of the event to share with their parents, said Doss.

“It’s a fun event, an informational event and a necessary event for children to ready for school,” said Leger.