News Summary
The St. Petersburg Housing Authority successfully organized its Back 2 School Bash in Jordan Park, providing families with free school supplies, backpacks, and entertainment. The event included notable guests and featured activities such as tree climbing, music, face painting, and community engagement. Local organizations contributed backpacks and school supplies, emphasizing the commitment to supporting families as they prepare for the academic year. The initiative highlighted collaboration among various community partners, reinforcing the spirit of support within St. Petersburg.
St. Petersburg – The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) successfully hosted its annual Back 2 School Bash on August 5, 2025, in Jordan Park, marking an initiative to assist families in preparing for the upcoming academic year. The event provided youth participants with free backpacks and school supplies, along with an afternoon filled with entertainment and community engagement.
The Back 2 School Bash featured several notable guests, including NBA veteran and USF Athletic Hall of Famer Chucky Atkins, First Lady of the City Donna Welch, and Councilman Corey Givens Jr. Their attendance underscored the community’s commitment to supporting local families.
Backpacks at the event were generously donated by several organizations, including The HUB, Hope Villages of America, My Daughter’s Keeper of Tampa Bay, and The Sanderlin Center. In addition to the backpacks, school supplies were provided by Pinellas MYcroSchool, ensuring that students will have the essential tools for success as they head back to school.
The City of St. Petersburg sponsored various activities for attendees, including a tree climbing experience and refreshing Italian ice treats. Humana also sponsored ice cream to add a sweet touch to the event.
Entertainment highlights included music and DJ performances by DJ Dondy, balloon creations by Awesome Austin’s Entertainment, and face painting by Face Painting Brittni. The tree climbing activity was led by Pathfinder Outdoor Education, providing an adventurous experience for the children in attendance.
SPHA expressed gratitude to numerous community partners who played a significant role in the event’s success. These partners included the American Heart Association, Arts Conservatory for Teens, Bay Area Legal Services, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay, Children’s Home Network, Clothes To Kids, Evara Health, Gulf Coast JFCS, Metropolitan Ministries, SPCA Tampa Bay, the St. Petersburg Police Department, and Tampa Bay Watch.
SPHA serves over 4,000 low-income households in St. Petersburg, providing safe and affordable housing to families in need. The housing authority operates under Chapter 421 of the Florida Statutes as an independent quasi-governmental entity and is responsible for administering housing assistance programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Jordan Park, where the event took place, holds significant historical importance as St. Petersburg’s first African American housing community. Originally constructed between 1939 and 1941, it stands as a landmark of the city’s history and continues to serve as a vital housing community today.
The Back 2 School Bash not only aided families in preparing for school but also highlighted the collaborative efforts of various local organizations and community members to foster a supportive environment for all residents in St. Petersburg. With the success of this year’s event, SPHA looks forward to continuing its commitment to helping families and strengthening community ties in the future.
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Additional Resources
- St. Pete Catalyst
- Google Search: St Petersburg Housing Authority
- TBN Weekly
- Wikipedia: Back to School
- ABC Action News
- Google Scholar: Community Engagement Events
- St. Peterising
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community Engagement
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
