SHREVEPORT, La. — Families gathered Saturday afternoon at Abounding Grace Ministries in Shreveport for the church's fourth annual Back-to-School Bash, where students received school supplies, encouragement and a message of hope ahead of the new school year.
 
The free event, held from 2 to 4 p.m., featured games, food, music and giveaways for local students. The Caddo Parish Commission helped sponsor the event, which was open to the public. Every child who attended received school supplies and had the opportunity to enter a raffle for cash and technology prizes.
 
Youth Minister Nicci Hardeman said the annual event is about more than helping students prepare for the classroom.
 
"Our church puts this on every year for our community because we want to give back to the community," Hardeman said. "Back-to-School Bash is not just giving paper, pencil and all those types of things, but we want to give them something more than that, something that they can hold on to for the rest of the year. We give them Jesus. This world is full of darkness, so we want our kids to go back to school having a light."
 
Hardeman said organizers hope every student leaves with both the supplies they need and the confidence and encouragement to begin the school year on a positive note.
 
Organizers said the event has continued to grow each year as more families come together to celebrate the start of a new school year and ensure local students have the tools they need to succeed.