TCC & Community Link Launch Community Food Market, Prepare Kids in Need for Back to School

Event at TCC Northwest expected to serve 1,600 children

4801 Marine Creek Pkwy., Fort Worth
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12

FORT WORTH, Texas (Aug. 9, 2017) – Tarrant County College is partnering with Community Link, Northwest YMCA and the Effie Center to help families in need—in the kitchen and in the classroom. On Saturday, Aug. 12, TCC and Community Link will host the food bank’s annual Back-to-School Bash, which provides supplies and services for children throughout northwest Tarrant County. The same day, the College and Community Link will launch the new Community Food Market initiative—a monthly food bank event that provides a farmer’s market shopping experience at no cost to families.

The Back-to-School Bash and Community Food Market will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at TCC Northwest, 4801 Marine Creek Pkwy. The event will serve Lake Worth ISD and Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD.

As part of the Back-to-School Bash, students will receive backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, eye screenings and glasses, books and medical and dental checkups. The event includes free food and entertainment and is expected to serve 1,600 children and their families.

The Community Food Market, held in partnership with the Tarrant Area Food Bank, will feature a farmer’s market-style layout. Extending far beyond a canned food drive, the Community Food Market will offer a variety of fresh foods, including meats and produce. Families are responsible for bringing their own bags and wagons to transport their items.

“This event means so much to families throughout our area,” said Lisa Benedetti, dean of the Humanities Division at TCC Northwest. “Working with Community Link and our other community partners, TCC is helping ensure that families are adequately supplied for school and that they have access to healthy foods. This gives kids a foundation for success.”

Community Link strives to assist those in poverty by providing, at no charge, food and personal care items. To participate in the back-to-school event, families must meet income guidelines and live in the Community Link service area or have a student enrolled in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw or Lake Worth school districts. The Community Food Market is open to all.

The recent addition of bus service to TCC Northwest will make it even easier for families to access the resources they need. Routes 44 and 45 serve the campus.

“This event has grown tremendously over the past decade—from giving basic supplies to a small number of children to providing a comprehensive back-to-school support system for kids across the area,” said Lara Gay, associate director of Community Link. “With the addition of the Community Food Market this year, we are able to extend our support even further.”

For more information on the Back-to-School Bash, contact Gay at LaraGay@community-link.org or 817-847-4554, or visit www.Community-Link.org. Current sponsors and participants include TCC, Community Link, the Effie Center, Northwest YMCA, City of Saginaw and Saginaw Fire Department.

Future Community Food Market events already are planned for the following dates: