Juhi Varma
The Katy News Journalist
Hundreds of families packed the Landmark Community Center on Friday, August 8, 2026, for Missouri City’s seventh annual health fair and backpack giveaway, also known as the Back 2 School Mega Fest. The popular community event distributed more than 1,500 backpacks filled with school supplies to children preparing for the new academic year.
“It is getting bigger and bigger and a lot of people are sponsoring, and they are doing a great job,” said Judge Surendran Pattel. “A lot of people are working behind the scenes for weeks and weeks.”
Organized by the American Caribbean Chamber of Commerce, the free event provided book bags, notebooks, hygiene packets, and other essential school resources. Families also received free school physicals, enjoyed food, a lemonade stand and live musical entertainment. Free haircuts were offered on the lower floor of the center.
The ACCC coordinated the giveaway with help from various sponsors. Speeches throughout the evening emphasized community service, safety, and the importance of ensuring every child starts the school year prepared and supported.
State Rep. Ron Reynolds, seven-year sponsor, said he was praying for students to have a successful school year. He highlighted the event’s steady growth over seven years, noting that it now serves thousands of children.
“It’s just a great environment to come and have the parents come and get everything they need– we try to get them excited about going back,” Reynolds said.
The parents and children were mainly from Fort Bend ISD, along with some from Lamar CISD, Harmony Public Schools, and other charter schools.
“There are a lot of community resources,” said Regina Williams, a Fort Bend ISD mother with two children, aged 11 and 5. ‘This is my first time. I think a lot of people showed up.”
Around the large hall, organizations, mainly nonprofits, had set up booths offering an array of community resources. These included legal and mental health assistance to other support services for families in need.
Dr. Marie Asher Baptiste, vice president of ACCC, spoke about the growing need for support in schools, pointing to a decline in wraparound services and rising mental health challenges among students.
A Houston ISD educator for 20 years, Dr. Baptiste said the ACCC works with elected officials, community leaders and other groups to connect families with resources that extend well beyond school supplies.
Those needs can include finding pro bono mental health services or connecting families struggling to pay rent with organizations that can help.
“Our capacity is on different levels based on what they are needing,” Baptiste said, adding that back-to-school assistance remains a major need the organization tries to address before families even have to ask.
“We got here recently, but so far so good,” said Sue Ortega, whose children attend a charter school. “I believe we’re getting backpacks but also access to community tools to help out with certain things.”
“Nothing is more rewarding than seeing the smiles on our children’s faces!” said Pattel. “I was delighted to attend the annual backpack giveaway. Always a pleasure to see our community come together to support our young people.”
“Let’s have a great school year,” said Constable Daryl Smith. “Parents, always tell your kids, always be aware and be safe.”
The annual gathering continues to serve as one of the area’s largest back-to-school resource events, bringing together families, elected officials, and local organizations to give children a strong start.
Hundreds of families packed the Landmark Community Center for the seventh annual
Back 2 School Mega Fest organized by the American Caribbean Chamber of Commerce.
The ACCC coordinated the giveaway with help from various sponsors.
