SARASOTA — The Safe Children Coalition is hosting its annual Back-to-School Bash 4-6 p.m. July 31.

The event, which includes a cookout, will be held at the YMCA Selby Aquatic Center Splash Park, 8301 Potter Park Drive, Sarasota.

“We have had great turnouts in the past and expect this year’s event to be our best,” said Tom Marer, with the Sarasota Y. “This is a great event showing how our community can come together to provide children in need a fun day in the sun as well as helping them prepare for school.”

All children currently in care who have been a victim of abuse and neglect are eligible to attend and will receive a school backpack and school supplies, said Marer.

This is the eleventh year the event has taken place.

The water park will remain open one extra hour for the coalition to use during the event, which is sponsored by organizations including Publix and the Junior League of Manatee County.

With offices in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties, the Safe Children Coalition serves abused and neglected children through a contract with the Department of Children and Families. One of the first community based care programs in Florida, the coalition is among the leaders in the state in providing permanency to children and shortening their time in foster care.

For more information, call (941) 371-4799, ext. 165.