Rob Ross on Building Community Through the Back to School Function
On this week’s Almost The Weekend, community organizer Rob Ross joined Besa Gordon and Curtis Delgardo II to talk about his upcoming Back to School Function, happening August 30 in Skyway at the Grocery Outlet. What started as a simple backpack drive has grown into a full-scale community resource fair, blending fun with essential support for families.
“This is my fourth backpack drive,” Ross shared. “I realized people would just come, grab a backpack, and leave. I wanted to create an experience where families could connect, get resources, and kids could play while parents got a little relief.”
The event now includes free food, a play area, vendors, health and dental services, banking resources, and nearly 400 backpacks — plus beanies for kids. “We’re giving the parents something too,” Ross explained. “When they leave, the kids are going to be so tired from playing that they’ll go home and take a nap.”
Although Ross carries much of the planning on his own, he views the effort as bigger than himself. “Community work comes from my heart,” he said. “If the home isn’t good, the kids reset and go back to the same cycle. That’s why we’re creating spaces for both youth and parents.”
For Ross, the event is more than just giving out supplies — it’s about building a safe, joyful space for families year after year. “I’ll keep doing this until I can’t do it anymore,” he promised. “The community needs us.”
Don’t miss this year’s Back to School Function, happening August 30 in Skyway at the Grocery Outlet. You can learn more about the event here: bettervision-outreach.com
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