Sept. 27, 2024—Community partner Cy-Fair Helping Hands (CFHH) hosted its third annual Back to School Bash on Aug. 3, resulting in nearly 1,500 attendees and more than 1,025 CFISD students receiving new backpacks filled with school supplies.

To kick off the school year, students and their families were invited to enjoy a carnival-like event at Calvary Community Church, a school adoption partner of CFISD’s Hairgrove Elementary School. The event featured games, entertainment, food, exhibits and fun provided by community partners.

“More than 120 individuals from community churches, businesses and organizations came together with approximately 60 volunteers to make this happen,” said Pat Hudson, CFHH Director of Community Outreach. “We are ecstatic to share that of those numbers, 11 Cy-Fair churches were represented! Calvary Community Church graciously consented for us to use their church auditorium and parking lot. We are so grateful to Pastor Jeff McGee and his staff!”

Hudson credited many donors for making the event memorable, including H-E-B Cypress Market for a pallet of water; Christine Kalmbach, Realtor, for the hot dogs; State Rep. Penny Morales Shaw and Greater Houston LULAC #4967 for the hot dog buns; and Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s office for the donation handwashing stations and portable toilets.

“This contribution has made such a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve—thank you for your kindness and generosity,” said Dawn Tryon, CFISD director of community engagement. “This donation has not only enriched our classroom environment but has also instilled in our students a sense of appreciation for the power of education and the importance of community support. Thank you, Cy-Fair Helping Hands, for your ongoing support for our students in need.”

CFHH works closely with the Community Youth Services (CYS) workers who serve homeless and disadvantaged children within CFISD. Following the event, CFHH founder and Senior Homeless Services Director Jean Dreyer invited the CYS workers for breakfast and provided an overview of services available to CFISD students through CFHH programs. As they left, CYS workers loaded their vehicles with 540 backpacks for the CFISD high school, middle and elementary campuses they serve. Olivia McElrath, Area Supervisor for Community Youth Services, made two subsequent trips to Cy-Fair Helping Hands, where volunteers loaded her vehicle with additional backpacks and supplies. Pantry clients were also able to pick up backpacks for their children for the two weeks following The Bash.

“Thanks to the generosity of our community businesses, churches, organizations, and individual supporters, we were able to donate an astounding 2,223 backpacks and school supplies for financially disadvantaged CFISD students,” said Janet Ryan, CFHH Executive Director. “It was heartwarming to see the immense smiles on the faces of the children as they excitedly grabbed their backpacks! That made it all worthwhile!”

Through its Transitional Family Services program, CFHH provides emergency shelter, class fees, graduation expenses, extracurricular expenses and dual credit fees for homeless and underprivileged students. It has also provided funds for prom, graduation fees, and even an animal and supplies for FFA students. The Fill-a-Bin program provides quick meals, snacks and other necessities for homeless students by providing bins filled with food in high schools, middle schools and ALCs within CFISD.

Cy-Fair Helping Hands encourages CFISD families in need to schedule an appointment to visit our food pantry Mondays, Thursdays, and the first and third Saturdays of each month. Visit the CFHH website at www.cyfairhelpinghands.org to register.