Parents and their kids will soon have an opportunity to stock up on what they need for the coming school year.

  Communities In Schools of Henry County will host a Parent Expo July 25 at 9 a.m., at Stockbridge High School and McDonough Middle School. The event will include a drive-through giveaway from 9 a.m., until noon for school-related items including backpacks, notebooks, binders, writing supplies, rulers, scissors and glue, while supplies last.

  Cecilia Loos is a resource development coordinator at Communities In Schools of Georgia. She said the expo, currently in its ninth year, enables parents and students to interact with others in the school district.

  “The event is in partnership with the schools,” said Loos. “The Parent Expo is designed to get students and parents excited about going back to school. It is also designed to get local businesses and other entities involved in supporting schools. Communities In Schools uses this as a means of connecting families with resources to help support students as they head back to school.”

  Loos acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in this year’s expo being a drive-through event. She said the organization remains committed to ensuring that students thrive in the upcoming school year.

  “Communities In Schools is still serving students and wants to be certain they are prepared to begin school when it resumes, or from their homes if remote learning is still the norm,” said Loos. “ Communities In Schools will assist students in whatever way is necessary to help them succeed.”

  All children receiving backpacks at the expo must be present and must provide proof of residency in Henry County. Rain check vouchers will be given if or when supplies run out.

  Loos said Communities In Schools is currently accepting financial donations, but does not have the capacity to take in-kind donations for the expo at this time due to the pandemic.

  For more information, visit http://cishenry.org/