Bermudez hosts free back-to-school events for District 12 families

District 12 families had three chances to pick up free backpacks and school supplies from Miami-Dade Commissioner Juan Carlos “JC” Bermudez, starting Saturday at the Hialeah Gardens Branch Library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The next stops were set for July 18 at North Trail Park and Aug. 1 at International Mall, with all three giveaways running during the same midday window.

Miami-Dade County said the Fourth Annual Back to School Bash was limited to District 12 families and would hand out backpacks and school supplies free of charge while supplies lasted. Distribution was first-come, first-served, and officials urged families to arrive early because the items were expected to go quickly.

The three locations were spread across District 12, which covers western Miami-Dade and includes Doral, Hialeah Gardens, Medley, Sweetwater, a portion of Hialeah and a large portion of unincorporated Miami-Dade County. That layout made the series easier to reach for parents who might otherwise have to travel farther to find school-start help.

Bermudez, who was elected District 12 commissioner on Aug. 23, 2022, after serving as the founding mayor of Doral, has used the district office to connect residents with neighborhood-level services. The main District 12 office is at 8333 NW 53rd St., Suite 102, in Doral, and residents needing disability accommodations for county programs can call 305-599-1200.

The final bash at International Mall landed on Aug. 1, the same day Florida’s 2026 back-to-school sales tax holiday began for qualifying school supplies, clothing and electronics. That overlap gave families an extra chance to cut costs at the start of the school shopping season, even as many households across Miami-Dade continued to absorb higher prices for rent, food and transportation.