Rock the Block: American Licorice Company, Bethany Lutheran Church, and Door Village Church team together ensure the smiles continue

Rock the Block: American Licorice Company, Bethany Lutheran Church, and Door Village Church team together ensure the smiles continue

Happy faces of both parents and children were seen at the Rock the Block Back to School Rally and Backpack Giveaway on Wednesday, August 4, at La Porte High School. 

Whether the smiles were because of the new backpacks or because the children are headed back to school, everyone enjoyed the vendors and the free giveaways. 

The event is a community effort with businesses and organizations helping to sponsor it or participating as vendors. The success of the event is visible with all the smiles. 

Rock the Block 2021

Rock the Block 2021 19 Photos
Rock the Block 2021Rock the Block 2021Rock the Block 2021Rock the Block 2021

American Licorice Company, Bethany Lutheran Church, and Door Village Church team together annually to ensure the smiles continue. Last year, the pandemic put a damper on the outside party, but students still received backpacks and supplies. 

This is the fifth year that American Licorice Company has partnered with other organizations for Rock the Block, and the 11th year the company has partnered with the Kids In Need Foundation. As part of the partnership between the American Licorice Company and the Kids In Need Foundation, backpacks and supplies have been given to kids who need a little extra boost as the school year starts.   

Nicole Krol, American Licorice Company Community Outreach Program Coordinator, said the company wanted to help students after learning that those who do not have the proper supplies tend to score lower than prepared students. 

“So instead of focusing on the lesson, they are worried about what they don’t have and how they are not prepared,” Krol said. “We are giving all the kids a head start and a level playing field with all the supplies that they need. We want to send them off to school feeling confident and ready for the school year.” 

Those who attended the event were invited to pre-register to skip the lines and celebrate early. American Licorice Company provided 800 elementary school backpacks for the event. 

“We have plenty of stock,” Krol said. “At the end of the event, we will have a lot leftover. The school buses that are here will come and pick up any we have and drop them off at the local schools. Whoever needs them can come to get them.” 

Tyson Baity, 8, who is entering third grade, said he’s excited about school, and the backpack is pretty cool. Baity is looking forward to “everything” at school and will use his gear to carry his tablet. 

“I think all of this is really cool,” Baity said. 

American Licorice Company will also provide 800 backpacks at an event in Michigan City and more at a facility in California. 

“We don’t talk to a lot of parents. We talk to the kids, and they are super excited to be able to come and pick out their backpack and the color they want,” Krol said. “The parents are very appreciative, but the kids are very excited.”    

One mom, Tiffaney Koepke, said her family attended Rock the Block in the past. Koepke appreciates the number of vendors and volunteers at the rally while her children were excited about signing up for Boy Scouts and receiving backpacks. 

“It’s about all the help they give to the families in the community,”  Koepke said.

Rock The Block began as a small event. As word of the back-to-school rally increased, so did the number of vendors and organizations who wanted to get involved. In the past, some of the vendors included hairstylists, dentists, youth organizations, first responders, and churches.  

“This isn’t just about backpacks. It’s also a really good back-to-school rally,” Krol said. 

This year, there were about 1,700 kids registered for the event. Some of the vendors included the La Porte Police Department, the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, La Porte County EMS, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, La Porte County Health Department, La Porte Community School Corporation, La Porte Fire Department, La Porte County Public Library, Bethany Lutheran Church and Door Village Church, to name a few. 

For more about the American Licorice Company, visit https://www.americanlicorice.com/en/