JOLIET – Families can get their kids ready to head back to the classroom by attending Senator Meg Loughran Cappel and Representative Natalie Manley’s Back-To-School Fair Aug. 13.

The free event will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13 at the Joliet Public Library – Black Road Branch, located at 3395 Black Road in Joliet. Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) and Manley (D-Joliet) will be joined by community partners who can provide resources and referrals and a team from Brookfield Zoo, who will be on site for a live animal demonstration.

“With the school year right around the corner, it’s a perfect time to have an event that serves as a central location for programs that are available for people in our community,” said Loughran Cappel.

Students can receive free backpacks and school supplies at the fair and learn about a number of services offered by organizations in the community. Students and families visiting the fair will also be able to attend individual presentations and receive resources from: the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health, Senior Services of Will County, VNA Healthcare, Sunshine & Rainbows Learning Center, After the Peanut, and more.

"I highly encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity to seek out community resources and have fun with their children as they prepare for the upcoming school year," Manley said.

For more information on the Back to School Fair, people can call Loughran Cappel’s office at 815-267-6119 or Manley’s office at 815-725-2741.