Families gathered at Slice of the Hillz Monday evening for the restaurant’s 1st Annual Back-to-School Bash, an event aimed at helping local children head into the new school year with the supplies they need.
The event provided 200 backpacks filled with school supplies to area students while bringing together local businesses, community organizations and residents for an evening of family-friendly activities.
For Slice of the Hillz’ Kamil Mehrab, the event was about more than backpacks — it was about giving back to the community that shaped him.
“It’s about the community,” Mehrab said. “There was nothing, for me, growing up in Zephyrhills, but my family. We used to have a Walmart and a McDonald’s, and that was it.”
Mehrab said he remembers firsthand how difficult it could be for families to afford school supplies.
“We wouldn’t start every school year off with supplies. My parents worked two jobs themselves. I know it’s not easy,” he said.
When his family opened Slice of the Hillz, Mehrab said serving the community became a central part of the restaurant’s mission.
“The first thing we did when we opened these doors to this restaurant was say we’re going to help the community any way we can,” he said. “This is our first annual Back-to-School Bash, and hopefully there will be many, many more to come. That’s our goal — to pour ourselves into the community.”
Mehrab said seeing children receive new backpacks made all the work worthwhile.
“The best part is a kid’s face — seeing them smile when they get a new backpack before school starts,” he said. “It’s one of those things you can’t really put a price on.”
The event featured support from numerous local businesses and organizations, including Bahrs Propane, Jarrett Ford, Florida Trailer Solutions, Infinity Salon, Century 21, Keystone Title, Bank Florida Kona Ice, the Zephyrhills Police Department’s Community Engagement Van, DJ Slamming Sammy, and a local car club that displayed a collection of classic and specialty vehicles.
Mehrab credited those partners with helping make the event a success.
“I’m thankful for all of our partners who came out,” he said. “I can’t be more happy. It’s been a great event.”
Following the success of the first Back-to-School Bash, Mehrab is already looking ahead to next year.
“I think next year will be even bigger,” he said. “Hopefully we can do 400 backpacks. We did 200 this year.”