A non-profit in Oak Cliff will host a "back to school" fair this weekend, offering some services that were cancelled at the Dallas Mayor's Back to School Fair at Fair Park. Metropolitan Dreams Center will host a drive-thru giveaway Saturday at its office at 4650 S. Hampton Road in Dallas.
Registration for school supplies is required. Those children who are registered will receive a backpack and supplies at a drive-thru that will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event will also include a job fair, and the COVID-19 vaccine will be available for people 12 and older.
"We've had individuals come up and say, 'I want to work, but I have not been able to find a job,'" says Metropolitan Dream Center Founder Margaret James. "We've referred them to various businesses, and, oh my God, they have come back excited."
The school supplies will be handed out in a drive-thru format. The job fair and vaccinations will be available inside, along with haircuts and health screenings. Screenings will also be available for asthmatic students.
"We're excited about this event and the many, many services that will be provided," James says.
Families can register at mdcdallas.org. Metropolitan Dream Center is also taking donations at that address.
"Just to be able to show love, a lot of children have not seen that," James says. "A lot of these children, when we give them a new pair of shoes, they go, 'wow, these are new.' It certainly gives my heart gratification knowing we've made an impact on so many of the children and families' lives."
She says many of the families who have received help have returned as volunteers.
"It's almost like a domino effect. We help and then they become impacted by us, and they want to help," James says. "I give God praise for that, and they're always coming up and helping us, and there's a smile."
Five schools in Dallas began their year August 2; 41 others began August 9. The remaining schools start class Monday, August 16.
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