Davis Street draws 1,200-plus to annual outreach and back-to-school fair

Davis Street Community Center welcomed more than 1,200 people to its annual Community Outreach & Resource Fair in San Leandro on Aug. 8, pairing free health and family services with a back-to-school drive. The event also distributed more than 500 backpacks and school supplies as local families prepared for the school year.

Why it matters: - The fair brought free services and basic needs support to San Leandro families in one place. - More than 1,200 attendees underscore continued demand for local resource events. - The back-to-school drive helped children start the school year with backpacks, supplies and shoes.

What happened: - Davis Street Community Center hosted its annual Community Outreach & Resource Fair on Saturday, Aug. 8, in San Leandro, California. - More than 1,200 people attended the event. - The fair featured more than 20 community resource organizations. - Davis Street also held its annual Back to School Drive at the same event.

The details: - Attendees received free resources, food, family activities and back-to-school support. - Community members could access blood pressure checks, dental screenings and stress assessments. - Children and families took part in face painting and other activities. - Alameda County Fire Fighters Association, Local 55 provided and prepared a complimentary lunch. - The fair included a free farmers market with cabbage, celery, romaine lettuce, pineapple, apples, plums, iceberg lettuce and strawberries. - Davis Street distributed more than 500 backpacks filled with notebooks, pencils and other school supplies. - Children also received Nike shoes. - The event included raffles with donated prizes and themed baskets from Davis Street departments. - Children’s Services offered a movie-night-themed basket. - Dental Services raffled electric toothbrushes and other dental care supplies. - Behavioral Health provided a basket with stress-relief items. - Intellectual Disabilities Services contributed a basket with a paint set, sensory toys and earphones. - Children also participated in bike raffles. - The event included participation from Alameda County Fire Fighters Association, Local 55; Alameda Alliance for Health; Alameda County Healthy Homes Department; Alameda County Public Health Department Fatherhood Initiative; Alameda Health System; Alzheimer’s Association; Blood Cancer United; Building Futures with Women and Children; Family Caregiver Alliance / National Center on Caregiving; City of San Leandro Recreation and Parks Department; Clipper START, Metropolitan Transportation Commission discount transit; Community Resources for Independent Living; Crisis Support Services of Alameda County; Dignity Memorial; Family Resource Navigators; Horizon Treatment Services; Prana Yoga and Wellbeing; Regional Center of the East Bay; and San Leandro Adult & Career Education Center.

Between the lines: - The event combined health, transit, education, senior and family services, showing how broad the community need is. - A large turnout and a packed service list suggest Davis Street is functioning as a hub for practical, on-the-ground support. - The timing with back-to-school season made the fair more than a resource event; it became a targeted aid effort for families with children.

What's next: - Davis Street said there is still time to support the Back to School Drive with backpacks, school supplies, shoes or monetary donations. - The organization directed donors to give online or through its Amazon Wishlist. - Davis Street said the turnout reflects the need to keep bringing resources directly to the community.