Thousands of Tarrant County students started the school year with a little extra support Friday as families gathered at Tarrant County College’s South Campus for the 20th annual Back to School Roundup. The event, one of the largest one-day back-to-school events in Texas, is providing approved, preregistered families with free school supplies, health services, immunizations, haircuts and access to dozens of community organizations offering resources and support. Organizers expect more than 3,000 students and family members to attend this year’s milestone event, which celebrates two decades of helping North Texas families prepare for the school year. For Fort Worth mother Marcela Nunez, the assistance made a meaningful difference. She got in line around 6:30 a.m. Friday to get a free laptop for her daughter. “I am a single mom; I do everything by myself,” Nunez said. “There’s so much going on financially, just everywhere right now, and I just feel like this is the best thing for the community, for the people who are struggling. It’s really good and very rewarding for all the families because you don’t just come here for school supplies. They have eye exams, they have dental checkups, they have shots.” Families attending the Roundup received much more than backpacks and notebooks. The event offered vision screenings, dental services, immunizations and health information, along with free haircuts and educational resources. Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata said having students arrive at school prepared can make a significant difference in their academic success. “It puts us in a very bad place when we do not have a child that’s ready,” Licata said. “It’s so hard. This provides that advantage for a child to be on the same playing field. This allows families to feel more comfortable when they send their child to school and ready to be educated in the best way.” Organizers say the need remains strong as inflation and higher costs continue to strain family budgets. Tarrant County Commissioner Roderick Miles Jr., who took part in the event’s opening ceremony, said the services help families redirect money toward other essential expenses. “This is so important to our families here in Tarrant County because it helps to fill gaps,” Miles said. “Money that they would have to spend on school supplies, immunizations and things of that nature, they get to use to possibly pay a bill or to pay for gas or whatever the case may be. This is a blessing to our community and such a vital resource.” The Roundup is hosted by the volunteer-led Tarrant County Back to School Roundup organization in partnership with Tarrant County College South Campus. “For 20 years, this event has been a powerful reminder of what our community can accomplish when we come together for our students,” said Letty Salinas, president of the Tarrant County Back to School Roundup Board of Directors. “Every backpack, every haircut, every health service, and every volunteer represents someone investing in a child’s future.” This year’s event also included carnival-style games, music, robotics demonstrations and giveaways, creating a festive atmosphere for families preparing for the first day of school. In addition, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages donated 200 laptops for preregistered high school students in grades 9 through 12. The laptops were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies lasted. For those who did not pre-register, walk-ups will be allowed starting at noon to receive remaining supplies on a first-come, first-served basis. They will be able to access all the free services until 2 p.m. ...read more read less