CHICAGO – State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D- Chicago) along with State Rep. Will Guzzardi, the Kelvyn Park Advisory Council and other community partners hosted a Back-to-School Fair Saturday, featuring free school supplies, COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, dental exams and more.

“It was a beautiful day, and I was so excited to see all the families come out to participate in our Back-to-School fair,” Pacione-Zayas said. “The event was a testament to the importance of coming together as a community to make sure our kids have the resources they need to start the school year off strong.”

Over 700 backpacks full of school supplies were distributed at the event. Additionally, the event saw the launch of a Mercado that hosted various vendors selling new and used goods and yard sale items, as well as an area with food trucks.

Pacione-Zayas and other stakeholders also came together to provide the community with resources for rental and housing assistance, child care options, youth programs and more.

“It takes a village, and this weekend the village came out in full swing to help families and students get ready to start the school year,” Pacione-Zayas said. “I am so proud of all the hard work our volunteers and vendors put in to help this event succeed. I can’t wait to see how this event evolves and grows in the coming years.”

To see more pictures, videos and resources from this weekend’s event, visit the Kelvyn Park Advisory Council’s Facebook page. Chicago Public School students and families can book COVID-19 vaccination appointments or find vaccinations sites on the CPS website.

PHOTO: Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas and State Rep. Will Guzzardi help students and their families find resources at the Back-to School Fair and Mercado on Aug. 14.