Backpacks, Block Parties, and Community: A 2025–2026 Recap

Over the past year, MystiCares Washington showed up at resource fairs and block parties across three counties — Pierce, Snohomish, and King. The resource fairs paired free backpacks and school supplies with tables from local organizations offering housing navigation, employment services, and other everyday support, and the Everett block party added a day of family fun. Here's a look back at where we went and who we worked alongside.

Beyond Boundaries Community Resource Fair — Pierce County

On August 6, 2025, MystiCares Washington joined the Beyond Boundaries Community Resource Fair at the Pierce County District Court Resource Center in Tacoma. The event was hosted by WorkSource Pierce, and Mysti's took part as a Justice Champion Sponsor. Attendees connected with employment services, housing navigation, legal help, behavioral health support, and reentry resources, all in one place. See the 2025 event page.

The fair returned on August 5, 2026, at the same Tacoma location, again pairing resource tables with a backpack giveaway for families getting ready for the new school year. See the 2026 event page.

Everett Block Party & Backpack Giveaway

On August 22, 2026, Mysti's brought a block party and backpack giveaway to Bible WAY COGIC in Everett, running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local students received free backpacks filled with essential school supplies, and families enjoyed a day of fun activities, refreshments, and entertainment. See the event page.

Wellspring Family Resource Fair — Seattle

On August 15, 2026, Mysti's took part in the Wellspring Family Resource Fair at 1900 Rainier Ave S in Seattle. The fair offered diapers, wipes and other hygiene items, backpacks and school supplies, and housing resources while supplies lasted. See the event page.

The numbers we can share

We don't have a verified public count of backpacks given away across all of this year's events, so we're not going to guess at a number. What we can say: families across Pierce, Snohomish, and King counties picked up free backpacks and connected with partner organizations at each of these events, and we're grateful to WorkSource Pierce and every organization that showed up alongside us.

Why we keep showing up

Resource fairs and block parties aren't just about handing out school supplies. They're a chance for families to walk up to a table, ask a question, and leave with a next step — whether that's a housing navigation contact, an employment resource, or simply knowing where to go the next time they need help. Meeting people where they already are, at a community event instead of behind an intake form, is part of why we keep saying yes to these invitations.

What's next

Keep an eye on our events page and news feed for 2026–2027 resource fairs, block parties, and giveaways as they're scheduled. If your organization runs a community event in Washington and wants MystiCares at the table, our Partners page is the place to start that conversation.