Community members attended a free Back to School event Tuesday, July 28, at the Reverend James M. Townsend Memorial Building in Richmond. Participants were treated to popcorn and snow cones as well as backpacks, school supplies and other items. Vaccines were also offered at the event.
Sponsors included the Richmond Housing Authority, Neighborhood Health Center, Wayne County Health Department, JP Morgan, Every Child Can Read and Aarion Allen.
Joshua Smith captured these photos for the Western Wayne News.
Photos by Joshua Smith 
Photos by Joshua Smith 
Jackie Scott, left, and Tricia Sheridan of Every Child Can Read provide books to kids during a back to school event Tuesday, July 28, at the Reverend James M. Townsend Memorial Building in Richmond, Ind. Photos by Joshua Smith 
Aarion Allen hands out gift bags to kids during a back to school event Tuesday, July 28, at the Reverend James M. Townsend Memorial Building in Richmond, Indiana. Allen isn’t associated with any organization but felt the need to help and asked if she could provide bags for kids at the event. Photos by Joshua Smith 
Photos by Joshua Smith 
Photos by Joshua Smith
A version of this article appeared in the August 5 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.