The Rainier Beach neighborhood came alive on Saturday, August 23, as families, students, and community partners gathered at the Rainier Beach Community Center for the 22nd Annual Back2School Bash, hosted by the Rainier Beach Action Coalition (RBAC). The event aimed to ensure that students were not only equipped with the necessary supplies for the school year but also felt supported by a community that is rooting for their success.

The atmosphere was festive from start to finish. Families connected with over 50 resource tables, while students from kindergarten to high school selected their new backpacks. RBAC staff and volunteers greeted families with warm smiles, and the sounds of music and laughter filled the community center plaza as neighbors came together to celebrate education, resilience, and neighborhood pride.

One of RBAC’s core goals for the Back2School Bash is to ensure that every student enters the classroom with confidence at the start of the school year. This year, thanks to our amazing sponsors, donors, and community partners, RBAC was able to distribute 940 backpacks filled with school supplies.

“The Back2School Bash is a great way for us to give back to the community and to share what our organizations has to offer,” said Charlette Shoecraft, co-founder of Empowering Youth & Families Outreach. She added, “This event is an opportunity to connect with families, support students, and build awareness about our programs and services.”

Melia Paguirigan, Community Engagement Coordinator at Woodland Park Zoo, who has participated in the bash for several years, expressed her excitement about the event. She stated, “We believe it is important to show up for our community and find joy in connecting students and families.”

Other highlights from the event include:

  • Over 50 family resource booths, which provided families with essential information and connections, ranging from health and wellness services to youth programs and safety resources.
  • More than 90 volunteers, who brought smiles, energy, and dedication, ensured that every detail, from backpack distribution to welcoming families, ran smoothly.
  • 61 local partners and sponsors contributed their support, investing in students and their futures and helping the event to grow and thrive each year.

None of this would have been possible without our incredible community of supporters.

Kanwal Yousuf, the Project Manager for RBAC’s Back2School Bash, worked diligently to ensure another successful event. Yousuf emphasized, “This event is really about showing students that their community believes in them.” She added, “We want to create an environment where families feel supported and students can start the school year feeling prepared.”

Yousuf collaborated closely with key planning partners to make the event successful. These partners include Community Passageways, Atlantic Street Center, Seattle Public Schools’ Native American Education Program, and the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Their leadership and collaboration greatly contributed to the success of the Back2School Bash.

RBAC is already looking forward to the 23rd Annual Back2School Bash in 2026, continuing the tradition of celebrating students and preparing them for a successful school year. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible family resource vendors, donors, and sponsors who made this year’s event possible. Their generosity provided funding for backpacks, school supplies, entertainment, and more.

We would like to acknowledge the following organizations for their support: Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Seattle Parks & Recreation, Seattle Department of Transportation, Urban Impact, United Way King County, Sound Transit, Seattle & King County Public Health, Community Passageways, Atlantic Street Center, Verity Credit Union, and Rainier Beach Urban Farms & Wetlands.

Additional thanks go to Community Healthplan of Washington, Alliance for Gun Responsibility, G3 & Associates, Rainier Beach Community Club, Chris and Chrissie Drape, Southeast Seattle Education Coalition, Richard and Julie Wight, Rainier Beach Presbyterian Church, and Prime Team Partners.

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