MOSES LAKE — Going back to school can be a tough time for some families. From school supplies, to clothes and shoes, this time of the year causes stress levels to skyrocket for many parents. That is why back-to-schools events like the six sponsored by Serve Moses Lake on Thursday, Friday and Saturday were so important and often times emotional for kids and their parents.

“You know. I am keeping it together pretty well right now. But I guarantee when I get home and finally get some time to myself, the tears are gonna flow. Because I was literally just looking at my bank account this morning and wondering how in the heck I was going to be able to get supplies for my two kids. This is such a blessing,” Destiny Adams said during Thursday night’s back-to-school event held at The Assembly at Moses Lake.

This year’s back-to-school events were held at six different locations across Moses Lake, with events held at Larson Elementary for Larson, North and Longview Elementary students, The Assembly at Moses Lake for Garden Heights Elementary students, Lakeview Terrace Elementary, Peninsula Elementary for Peninsula, Midway and Sage Point Elementary students, Endeavor Middle School for all middle school students and Moses Lake High School for high school and Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center students.

Every location was different and organized by a different group. Despite their differences at each location, the one constant was kids receiving much needed back-to-school gear.

“My mom told us to get up we are going to go get stuff for school. I thought we were going to go to the store, but coming here is a lot more fun because there is more stuff to do and it is just all around fun,” fourth-grader Elliot Danielson remarked Thursday night.

The events are perhaps just as impactful to those who attended, as they are to those who volunteered. Every location was staffed to the brim with volunteers who were looking for a way to give back to the community and serve. Assembly at Moses Lake family life pastor Kathy Jingling said her church organized the event held at their location to try and take the burden off of Serve Moses Lake.

“Will we have some middle school students who swing by and try to get some supplies? Sure we will. But I would never, ever turn a kid away from here that was in need,” Jingling remarked.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.