RefreshBISD Positively Impacts Birdville ISD Families with Supplies During Back-to-School Drive-Thru Event

    RICHLAND HILLS, TX, August 11, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Community Enrichment Center (CEC), a leading nonprofit organization that assists low-income families and seniors in Tarrant County, together with over 500 local volunteers, businesses and churches held their Annual RefreshBISD event on Saturday, August 6, 2022.The free Back-to-School drive-thru event, held at the Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum, provided Birdville ISD students and families with 3,000 backpacks filled with school supplies, 42,483 pounds of food, haircuts, eye exams and sports physicals. Over 1,156 families participated in the event. Click for Photos https://bit.ly/3w1omzd

"At Birdville ISD, our belief is that family helps family. This event is a great example of that. It's not just the school district, but it's the community and business partners that come together to make sure our students have everything they need for a successful year," Dr. Gayle Stinson, Superintendent Birdville ISD. Click for Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=furu_8xOUqM

"With tough economic conditions this year, the event filled up in record time. 60% of Birdville ISD students are considered to be at risk, and the RefreshBISD community event removes the burden on families to provide school supplies while giving students a great start as they head back to school," stated Susan Shaw, volunteer and Board of Directors member.

"It was an honor to have Pastor Jay Bruner speak to our volunteers and business supporters. Over 8 years ago, he and his wife had a vision for a community event to help support students as they went back to school. RefreshBISD is the fruition of that vision," stated Carolyn Sims, Interim CEO of CEC. "We are truly grateful for all of our volunteers, sponsors and business partners that make this event happen."

Event sponsors for the event were Buyers Barricades, the City of Haltom City, Gateway Church NRH, The Hills Church of Christ, Center Point Church, First Baptist Church Colleyville, Five Star Ford, Oasis Community Worship Center, North Richland Hills Baptist Church, Atmos Energy and individual backpack sponsors. Event partners included the Tarrant Area Food Bank and the City of North Richland Hills and many more.

About the Community Enrichment Center
For 31 years, the CEC has been a partner in change for our Northeast Tarrant low-income neighbors. The CEC works directly with families and individuals to move them out of crisis and into stability through employment readiness, high school equivalency, financial coaching, counseling, safe housing, food and basic necessities. These tools and Christ-centered resources help the CEC coaching staff to restore hope and share God's love while guiding families toward a bright future which will end their cycle of poverty and/or family violence. For more information about CEC, visit https://cechope.org/ or find CEC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CommunityEnrichmentCenter/

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