Mayor Sylvester Turner is excited to announce the 13th Annual Mayor's Back to School Fest presented by Shell on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

The annual fest presented by Shell USA, Inc. is designed to help economically disadvantaged Houston-area elementary school students and their families as they prepare to return to school.

"Back to school is an exciting time for children of all ages. They should focus on reading, writing, arithmetic and making good grades. We do not want students and their families to worry about basic classroom supplies,” said Mayor Turner. "This event is intended to provide assistance for families who may need it. I thank our sponsors for stepping up to the plate to help. Due to their generosity, thousands of kids will have the tools they need for a successful start to the school year."

Shell employees and Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Castex-Tatum joined the Houston Food Bank to stuff supplies into hundreds of backpacks to prepare them for distribution.

"Ensuring our students have the necessary supplies at the start of each school year is critical to their success. No student should have to start school without proper supplies and healthcare. The Back 2 School Fest is not only meeting the needs of families but a fun start to a new school year, said Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Castex Tatum.

In addition to distributing 25,000 backpacks with school supplies, the event will feature on-site health screenings to include: dental screenings and sealants, vision screenings, routine immunizations and COVID-19 vaccines. The event also connects families to a wide range of health and social services offered by community agencies. With one in four Texas children living in poverty, the Mayor's Back to School Fest presented by Shell is focused on changing the future, one child at a time.

“The Mayor’s Back to School Festival is a tradition that marks the start of the school year and more importantly supports thousands of students and their families,” said Gretchen Watkins, Shell USA, Inc. President. “Preparing Houston students for the future is the responsibility of our community and Shell is honored to be part of this effort to keep the next generation moving forward.”

Registration is recommended for participation in the fest: https://www.houstontx.gov/btsf/registermystudent.html

Event Sponsors & Supporters

Presenting Sponsor: Shell USA, Inc.; Host & Sponsor: Houston First; Community Partner: Houston Food Bank; Sponsors: Texas Health and Human Services; University of Houston; Checkers; Comcast; Kelsey-Seybold Clinic; Legacy Community Health; My Connect; Texas Children’s Health Plan; Verizon; YES Prep; DentaQuest; Justice for Children; Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages; Houston Community College; Prairie View A&M University; Metropia; 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship Host Committee; First Service Credit Union; Enterprise; Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers; Texas Barber College; Jetco Delivery; Staples; Southwest Airlines; Crimestoppers of Houston; National Kidney Foundation; Houston Astros; METRO; STS Brand; McDonald’s Houston; Media Partners: CW39 Houston; Telemundo; KSBJ; Vida Unida

The Mayor’s Back 2 School Fest Presented by Shell is produced by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. For more information, visit the website at houstontx.gov/btsf.

About Shell USA, Inc.

Shell USA, Inc is an affiliate of Shell plc, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with operations in more than 70 countries. In the U.S., Shell operates in 50 states and employs more than 12,000 people working to help tackle the challenges of the new energy future.