If you’d somehow managed to forget the weak economy, a trip down Tacoma Mall Boulevard near South 38th Street Saturday morning would have been a dramatic reminder.
Hundreds of parents and children queued up outside Trinity Church to receive free school supplies and services beneath the well-known “Jesus Cares About You” sign. The back-to-school carnival was sponsored by Trinity and Puget Sound Christian Center.
Organizers said the turnout was unprecedented.
The first families arrived at 6:45 a.m., said Yolanda Wilson, the event coordinator. And by the time the carnival began at noon, several hundred were lined up in that parking area and on the sidewalks bordering Tacoma Mall Boulevard. The parking lots across the street at Bank of America and at nearby shopping areas were nearly filled, and the church’s shuttle bus transported dozens at a time to the church.
“This is just unbelievable,” said Trinity Pastor Steve Allen, surveying the crowd just before 1 p.m. “It’s overwhelming.”
Wilson and her planning committee had worked on staging the carnival since September. The economy had braced them for a substantial increase in families seeking help.
The church served 901 children at last year’s carnival. This year, the committee planned for 1,500.
Working with the Tacoma School District and local businesses, organizers created a multi-faceted event providing school supplies, services, food and fun.
Each child received a bundle of basic school supplies appropriate for their grade, including notebooks, rulers, pencils and organizers. Backpacks provided by World Vision were available for those who needed them.
The freebies went beyond school supplies. Doctors from Multi-Care Medical Center gave sports physicals. Students from the Clover Park Technical College cosmetology program offered haircuts.
Susan Carillo said the carnival was a wonderful event. Her daughter, Esperanza, got a free haircut from one of the Lakewood college students.
“When you can’t afford everything that’s expected to get ready for school, this is a big help,” Carillo said.
School uniforms and new shoes were available, and a selection of “gently used” clothing was on hand. The churches erected a prayer tent where members asked God to help struggling families.
The cost of the free goods was covered by the Tacoma School District’s Help-A-Student Fund, as well as donations from the public and from school staff members, said Kari Reed of the district’s School, Family and Community Partnership Program.
Some 300 volunteers, many from the two churches, operated the carnival booths.
While the event helped families with the practical necessities of going back to school, it didn’t overlook the social aspects of a late-summer day. Many parents brought their kids to play on inflatable toys and slides, to get their faces and nails painted, and to enjoy a free meal.
Chanta Robinson wanted her six-year-old daughter Chantrea to get a preview of interacting with other children. Chantrea is entering the first grade at Manitou Park Elementary School.
“We thought this would be a good introduction for her to the school experience,” said the Tacoma mother.
School Superintendent Art Jarvis worked at the carnival, talking with students and parents and thanking volunteers.
“We’ve seen a pretty sharp increase in students who need help,” he said. “This and the other carnivals go a long way toward filling that need.”
John Gillie: 253-597-8663
