TIMES photographs by Annette Beard

Donated school supplies, garnered at the Stuff the Bus event last weekend and from business and community members were given away to about 200 students Saturday morning during the Back to School Bash held at First Baptist Church, Pea Ridge. About 40 teachers donated their time to staff the event.

Each family registered upon arrival at the Back to School Bash and then picked up grade-appropriate school supplies, clothes, were offered free haircuts and free breakfast.

Perusing the jeans offerings, one young lady found exactly what she wanted in the many clothes donated for Pea Ridge students.

Parents and their children found shopping for back to school a pleasure at the Back to School Bash Saturday. Originally a project of two teachers who are members of First Baptist Church, the Back to School Bash is now sponsored by Bright Futures, Pea Ridge.

Sue Stacey, director of Special Education at Pea Ridge, revealed her love of children as she visited with one of the attendees at Saturday's Back to School Bash.

"This is the biggest yet," Rick Neal, school superintendent, said, of the myriads of clothes -- socks, underwear, jeans, shirts, jackets -- donated by the community for Pea Ridge school children. "This is an awesome community! This is community helping community!" he said.

Leslie Moline (left), principal of Pea Ridge Middle School, shared a laugh with parents and students during the school supply give away at Saturday's Back to School Bash. A son laughed at his dad, right, as he asked his son if he needed a kindergarten nap mat.

Members and pastor Al Fowler of First Baptist Church, Pea Ridge, provided pancakes for breakfast for children and their families.

Teacher/counselor Courtney Hurst (left) visited with parents as they gathered school supplies for their children, students at Pea Ridge schools.