Healthy Back to School Ideas for Kids

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and News12 

Return to 165th Street for Back-to-School Giveaway in The Bronx 

Bronx Voice 

August 17, 2025

BRONX – Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and News12, Optimum and Warner Bros. Discovery launched their second annual Back-to-School Campaign, bringing free community events to families across the Metropolitan New York area this August. 

Designed to prepare students for a healthy return to school, the campaign highlights the importance of health screenings, wellness resources, and family engagement as critical components of academic success. 

Among the partners at this year’s Bronx event were The Morrisania Revitalization Corporation (site host), MLK Resource Center of Greater New York and Utopia Resource Center of Greater New York. This year’s campaign builds on the success of last year’s co-branded initiative. Each event offers tailored support for school-bound children and their families, including free health-focused giveaways, wellness education, and access to local service providers.

“Backpacks and pencils are important—but so is a clean bill of health,” said Dr. Mark Levy, President and CEO of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “These events are about more than supplies. They connect families with the care and information they need to help their children thrive—inside and outside the classroom.”

Running through August 28, the series spans urban and suburban communities and includes partnerships with local school districts and nonprofit organizations. Health-related offerings include hygiene kits, vision and hearing screenings (where available), mental health referrals, and wellness education.

News12 Bronx will feature select events through on-site coverage, capturing the voices and stories of the families and local organizations making a difference.