On Saturday, August 8, 2026, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center hosted its annual MLK Back to School Festival, an event for students and families to receive free backpacks, school supplies, and other essential items for the new school year.

Over 30 community partners participated in the drive-through festival, distributing supplies to over 1,000 students and their families. 

Community Partners included Ben Abbott & Associates, Peter & Dena Silberman, Enterprise Holdings, Reliant, In the City For Good, Accident & Injury Chiropractic, LIRA, HELP, CBRE, MLK, Jr. Recreation Center, Dallas Public Library (MLK, Jr. Branch), MILES of Freedom, Empowering the Masses, Qu’Dee, IDK Foundation, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Sigma Lambda Chapter), Dairy Farmers of America, City of Dallas Office of Housing & Community Empowerment, City of Dallas-Defend Your Drains, City of Dallas – BEST, City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS), City of Dallas Environmental Education Initiative (EEI), Ninguno, Texas Together, Bless the Lord Outreach Ministry, Together Leading Change, C5 Texas, Dallas Area Drug Prevention Partnership, Master Your Move, D1 Training, Hippy Texas, Excel Employment Services, and Double Up Food Bucks .

Breakfast and lunch were provided by Ben Abbott & Associates. Mo Goodas Italian Ice was provided by Reliant. 

Special thanks to our volunteers, Refulgent Star #004 and Phoenix Rising #357 for their time and dedication to serving the community!