It’s back-to-school season, and last year’s backpack may still have a lingering smell of crayons. Luckily, throughout August, there are back-to-school drives, supply giveaways, and free backpacks that can help your little one be ready for the first day of school, which is August 29th in Philadelphia .
Check out the supply drives below and connect with your community. Many back-to-school activities promote their events locally or through social media. Local schools, churches and community organizations also operate supply drives. Note that many of these events offer free gifts while supplies last.
You can get free backpacks and school supplies at district back-to-school events throughout August. There will also be immunization clinics, pre-K registration, and you can receive important updates about the upcoming school year.
Mega-events:
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August 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m Edison High School Fields, 151 W. Luzerne St. (use Hunting Park Ave. entrance)
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August 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m High School of the Future, 4021 Parkside Ave.
Emerging events:
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August 18th from noon to 2pm at Hayes City Recreation Center, 9800 Roosevelt Blvd.
Date and Time: August 17 and 18 from 4 to 7 p.m
Location: 5901 Market Street
Backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils and other school supplies
Date and Time: August 19 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m
Location: 5843-55 Catherine Street (Boys & Girls Club of Caring People Alliance West Philadelphia)
Caring People Alliance and Philadelphia Fight’s Institute for Community Justice will be in Cobbs Creek at the Boys & Girls Club to hand out backpacks, school supplies and provide health education. Parents of babies and toddlers can also get free diapers.
Date and Time: August 26 from 4 to 6 p.m
Location: 2032 N. Mascher St.
Free backpack giveaway, plus learn about Norris Square Community Alliance youth programs.
Date and Time: August 21 from 12 to 3 p.m
Someone say free haircuts? Hair Wizards Barbershop continues its annual back-to-school campaign and giveaway with free haircuts, school supplies and backpacks. Back to School will take place at all three Hair Wizards locations.
Hair Wizards locations:
Date and Time: August 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m
Location: 325 S. 7th St.
Join the 175th District State Representative for a backpack and school supplies giveaway, plus learn about state programs, resources and information. The first 175 children receive free backpacks filled with school supplies.
Date and Time: August 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m
Location: 3901 Whitaker Ave. (Headquarters of the East Police Division)
People’s Choice Barbershop is offering a free back-to-school haircut and backpack giveaway in partnership with the 25th Police District.
Date and Time: August 21 from 2 to 6 p.m
Location: 27th and W. Clearfield Streets
Free backpacks and school supplies, plus other freebies.
Date and Time: August 17 from 12 to 3 p.m
Location: 4087 Lancaster Ave.
Join Frontline Dads and Plush Events Venue for their back to school backpack and school supplies giveaway.
Date and Time: September 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
Location: 2109 W. Chew Ave. (Belfield Recreation Center)
Enjoy a day of balloons, music, parties and food at Belfield Recreation Center while getting a free backpack.
Date and Time: August 21 from 3 to 6 p.m
Location: 1632 Cecil B. Moore Ave. (Cleaning items)
This back to school gift includes backpacks, pencils, glue, crayons, markers, notebooks, folders and more.