KEYS Empowers plans free back-to-school fish fry and supply giveaway in West Baltimore

KEYS Empowers will host a free community celebration Sept. 5 at Easterwood Park in Baltimore’s Rosemont and Coppin Heights neighborhoods, offering food, school supplies and music for students and families. The event also marks the first activation of the nonprofit’s new Community Ambassadors program as the group expands its outreach in West Baltimore.

Why it matters: - The event is designed to ease back-to-school costs for West Baltimore families with free food, supplies and community resources. - KEYS Empowers is using the gathering to expand neighborhood outreach through its new Community Ambassadors program. - The celebration supports a broader effort to connect families with mentoring, education and care in communities with limited access to resources.

What happened: - KEYS Empowers will host a free back-to-school community celebration on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Easterwood Park, 1530 N. Bentalou St., in Baltimore. - The event will serve the Rosemont and Coppin Heights communities. - Activities begin at 12:30 p.m. - The program includes a community fish fry with sides, food distribution, a school-supply giveaway and music from Pork Chop, the official DJ of the Baltimore Ravens. - Baltimore City Councilman John T. Bullock, incoming Delegate Tiffany Welch, Senator Antonio Hayes and other elected officials and community leaders are participating as partners.

The details: - The event is free and open to the community. - Families are encouraged to arrive early because food and school supplies will be distributed while supplies last. - Event information is available at More information. - The event is the first community activation of the KEYS Community Ambassadors, a group of seven inaugural ambassadors. - The ambassadors are intended to strengthen neighborhood outreach, volunteerism and community service across West Baltimore. - KEYS Empowers follows this event after a recent community food distribution that served about 250 families. - The nonprofit is also building the KEYS Community Healing Village, a future space focused on mentorship, education and care. - More information about the Healing Village and charitable giving is available at Support the Healing Village.

Between the lines: - The back-to-school event is a visible example of KEYS Empowers moving from service delivery to deeper community organizing. - The new ambassadors program suggests the nonprofit wants a more sustained presence in neighborhood life, not just one-time events. - Founder Mujahid Muhammad said back-to-school season gives KEYS a chance to return to the core of its mission and show children and families that their community believes in them. - The nonprofit has focused on Baltimore youth since 2009 and centers its work on healing, education and leadership. - KEYS Empowers also says it works to address the long-term effects of trauma in communities where resources are limited.

What's next: - KEYS Empowers will continue building the Community Healing Village as a future hub for support and connection. - The organization is likely to keep pairing direct aid events with longer-term community programs. - Families can expect supplies and food to remain available only until items run out at the Sept. 5 event.

The bottom line: - KEYS Empowers is combining immediate back-to-school relief with a longer-term push to deepen trust and support in West Baltimore.