Hundreds of Woodland Students Receive Free Backpacks at Annual Bash

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Woodland Public Schools hosted its ninth annual Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 16, 2025, where hundreds of students received free backpacks and school supplies to prepare for the new school year.

Over 700 families attended the event, which featured a range of free activities. In addition to the backpacks and school supplies, students and families enjoyed a bounce house, $1815 in raffle prizes donated by 22 local businesses, and a free meal of corn dogs, fruit, and chips.

 

Lindsay Noble, interim coordinator for the Woodland Public School’s Family and Community Resource Center, said Sabrina Williams from Grace Community Church did much of the setup and organization of the event. Lindsay and Sabrina worked together to secure donors and volunteers to make the event a success.

"It was wonderful to see volunteers bring their whole family to help at the event," Noble said.

Pizza Factory gave out 150+ free pizza coupons, and Burgerville gave out coupons for free burgers and ice cream.  Local stylist Claudia's Beauty Salon was also on hand to offer free haircuts for students.

This truly was a community effort as organizations came out to help get families’ information and resources and to connect with families: US Navy, Woodland Library, Columbia Play Project, Fire Dept Truck, Clark County College, Compassion 360, Red Canoe Credit Union, Aging Disabilities, Lower Columbia College, Fibre Federal, Grace Community Church - Youth Group, Bioadoptees, Cowlitz County Network, Cowlitz County Cap Organization.

 

Red Canoe Credit Canoe hosts a school supply drive every year, offering a pound-for-pound and dollar-for-dollar matching program. They received $4,021.89 in net cash, which they matched with another $4,021.89 for a total cash donation of $8,043.78, and in the pound-for-pound, Red Canoe received and matched 237 pounds of school supplies. The donations and supplies are all used to help Woodland Public students have everything they need to be successful in the school year.

The Cowlitz Fire Department gave tours of their fire truck to the students, and the Woodland Police spent the day with students helping them fill their backpacks with school supplies.

The Family and Community Resource Center (FCRC) relies on the support of local businesses and community organizations to run its programs. "We couldn’t offer our programs without the generous and ongoing support from our outstanding local organizations and community members," Noble explained. "The Woodland community maintains a tradition of rallying around helping those among us in need."

About Woodland Public Schools’ FCRC:

The Woodland Public Schools Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) provides resources and services to students and their families in need who live in either Cowlitz or Clark counties.

To find more information about the free services offered by the FCRC or to learn ways you can support the FCRC, visit the Woodland Public Schools website at www.woodlandschools.org/fcrc or call the FCRC directly at (360) 841-2718.