Whether you need a little help or want to lend a hand, the power of community is alive and well in St. Cloud. Outside Granny’s Southern Smokehouse, 818 Pennsylvania Ave., you will find a freezer and pantry that is stocked daily by the Osceola Response Team with ready-toeat options for anyone who may be in need. No questions asked, just kindness on ice. If you have something to spare, drop it off. If you need something, take it.
The Osceola Response Team is a non-profit 501-3 emergency response team, with a disaster response team, search and rescue hounds and a food bank. For more information, go to www.Osceolaresponseteam.com.
Graceview Academy (2395 Hickory Tree Road) will host a Back to School event on Saturday, July 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event includes free backpacks and school supplies, free haircuts, food trucks, entertainment, inflatables, firetruck and community resources.
The event promises vendors, food and fun. Kids must be onsite to receive backpacks.
Hope Fest — Back to School Bash takes place on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 12-3 p.m. at Bridgeprep Academy of St.
Cloud (8691 Old Canoe Creek Road). There will be school supply giveaway, food, music, free haircuts and entertainment, as well as vendors and games.
It’s a free for all! Back to School Free for All takes place on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church (1000 Ohio Ave.) Bring what you have and take what you need. There will be school supplies, a bounce house, food and games.
Hopkins Heroes’ Back to School Bash is Saturday, Aug. 9. To participate in their clothing drive, drop off old uniforms for the school uniform swap at Nutrition Zone (1100 Massachusetts Ave._or Hopkins Park (620 E. 17th St.) Donations of school supplies are also needed. Pick-up is also available, contact Stephanie Gilbert at 407-709-7394 or email Hopkinsheroes24@gmail.com.
The 7th annual A Hero for Kids Back2School initiative is in full swing. This year’s event is different from the past. Instead of registration and a drive-thru distribution event, a Hero for Kids will be directly supporting local schools and teachers. They will be delivering backpacks with school supplies and teacher supply kits to local schools. The backpacks will be distributed by the schools to children in need. For more information or to donate, call 407-908-8643 or email Andrea@aheroforkids.org.
Last week we Crammed the Cruiser. This week, Let’s Fill the Bus at 1918 13th St. From now until Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To view a list of supplies needed, go to www. bit.ly/4kJSSUN. For more information, call or text 954268-5421.
Historic Downtown St. Cloud will host a sidewalk sale on Saturday, July 26 at 10 a.m. Shop summer sales and clearance, shop local! A Hot Wheels diecast event will be held on Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the VFW Hall, 916 New York Ave. The fee is $20 per table and entry fee is $2. There will be food, games and raffles. For more information, contact Danny at 352-304-2295. Cars, Coffee & Community Vibes! Join in on Friday, Aug. 2 at (Coffee Hour Café, 4755 Old Canoe Creek Road) at 6 p.m. Check out locale classic cars and connect with fellow enthusiasts.
If you have any St. Cloud news or information that you would like to share, call Lisa Goldmacher at 407-319-9700 or email lcgoldmacher@yahoo.com.
