Every child deserves a good education but purchasing school supplies and new school clothes can be expensive and tough. And if you’re struggling to survive on a low income, buying these things can put a dent in your wallet.
Thankfully, many communities and organizations within and outside Gallipolis offer free or low-cost school supplies and even free clothes vouchers to help families like yours. This can take some stress off your shoulders and free up some money for other family essentials.
Free School Supplies
Children living in Ohio have access to government-funded free school supplies and lunches. See below for the terms and eligibility conditions.
State Law Provides Free School Supplies
The revised Ohio law states that public schools shouldn’t charge fees for learning materials to students who qualify. So, if your child is eligible based on the National School Lunch Act (1946) and the Child Nutrition Act (1966), they can get free school supplies.
Approximately 51% of American families qualify for free and reduced-price school meals through these programs. You may be eligible if:
- Your household must fall at or below the program’s income limits.
- You should be a parent or primary caregiver responsible for children in high school or below or children who are 18 years old or below.
- If you are eligible for SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR, or you’re homeless, or a runaway, or a foster child, you may also be eligible.
You can also contact your local school district to confirm your eligibility status.
If your child qualifies for the program, then your family shouldn’t be charged for essential course materials needed for your child’s regular classes. If the school tries to charge fees for necessary materials, you can politely remind the school of this law.
Please note that there are some exceptions to this law:
- Schools can charge fees for materials needed for extracurricular activities or enrichment programs.
- Schools can charge fees for tools and equipment used in special classes such as the career-technical education programs, as long as the student gets to keep those items after finishing the course
Not to worry if your family doesn’t qualify for the Free Lunch Program. Let’s review other resources available in Gallipolis, OH, and its environs to help students get free school supplies.
Free School Supplies in Gallipolis
Check out more Gallipolis-based resources that can help you offset some school supplies expenses.
River of Life Community Church
River of Life might be the answer for your child’s school supplies needs. Every year, they hold a fantastic back-to-school event and giveaway free school supplies, clothes for kids, and even books.
It’s a helpful way to prepare your child for the new school year without breaking the bank. The event is a fun-filled celebration perfect for elementary school kids. They can enjoy games and activities and even paint their faces. They held the most recent event between July 2nd and August 20th to prepare Gallipolis kids for the 2023-2024 school year.
Since dates can change, it’s always best to contact the church directly to learn about upcoming events and any eligibility requirements. You can also add the event to your calendar since it happens immediately after their services in late August each year.
God’s Hands at Work Organization (Back-to-School Backpack & Supply Giveaway)
God’s Hand at Work is a faith-based non-profit organization, ready to support the people of Gallipolis, Ohio. They understand that sometimes life can be tough, and they want to lend a helping hand.
Each year, they provide brand-new backpacks and school supplies completely free to families who need them. This makes sure students can head back to school feeling excited and prepared.
But the agency offers much more than school supplies. They can help with many basic needs, including housing, feeding, work opportunities, funding, and more. Sometimes, God’s Hands at Work Organization connects people with other great agencies that can offer even more support.
God’s Hands at Work wants to help; for further information, send them an email.
Supply for Success
Supply for Success is a committee of the Lakewood, OH, area supported by the Lakewood Foundation. Over the past 12 years, The committee has organized a city-wide summer school supply drive annually to bridge the gap of students in need within the Lakewood area in Ohio.
The last drive was on August, 2nd, 2023, however, to be certain of this year’s upcoming event, you can reach out to the committee directly at their email address. Meanwhile, check out this resource if you’re interested in free school supplies in the Lakewood area.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland
Catholic Charities partners with parishes, community organizations, and other Diocesan offices to provide education, formation and training activities, and direct services to individuals and families.
Out of genuine concern for the community with the ever-increasing cost of living, throughout 2023, Catholic Charities hosted themed donation drives to help meet the increased demands in the communities they serve.
Particularly, they fix June and July for the back-to-school drive where they collect school supplies, clothes bags, books, and donated items to help those in need throughout Northeast Ohio. Contact Catholic Charities via 216-334-2900 to be certain of this year’s upcoming event.
Free School Clothes Vouchers
While Gallipolis offers some great options for free school supplies, there may be additional resources available for free school clothes vouchers in your area.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is one of the largest and most recognizable charitable organizations in the world, with a presence in countless communities across the United States. Their mission focuses on holistic care, and they offer a wide range of social services to meet various needs.
When it comes to clothing assistance, The Salvation Army often runs free school clothes voucher programs. They may also provide assistance with interview attire, work clothes or everyday wear.
However, voucher programs can vary by location, so it’s important to contact your local Salvation Army branch to inquire about their specific offerings and eligibility requirements.
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities is a charitable organization affiliated with the Catholic Church. They are dedicated to serving people in need regardless of their religious background.
Similar to the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities offers a broad spectrum of social services, including programs to address clothing insecurity. These programs often involve clothing vouchers that can be used at designated stores to purchase essential apparel.
The specific details of Catholic Charities clothing assistance programs vary by location, so be sure to reach out to your local Catholic Charities branch to learn about available resources and eligibility criteria.
St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul is a large international Catholic lay organization with a focus on serving those experiencing poverty and hardship. They operate through a network of local chapters typically associated with individual parishes.
While specific programs vary, St. Vincent de Paul chapters frequently operate thrift stores or clothing closets that offer free school clothes vouchers to those in need. Some chapters may also offer voucher programs to help with work clothing, interview clothes or everyday clothing purchases.
It’s important to contact your local St. Vincent de Paul chapter to determine the specific resources and assistance they provide.
More Free Clothes Vouchers
Many programs that help with back-to-school costs also offer support for school clothing. Free school clothes vouchers let you shop for essential items like pants, shirts, jackets, and shoes for your child. These vouchers can make a huge difference in ensuring students have the clothing they need to feel confident and comfortable at school.
To learn more about free school clothing programs and how to find them in your area, check out our list of free clothing voucher programs.
Other Education Resources
Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio, Inc.
Goodwill is a non-profit, social service agency that has been serving the local community for more than 100 years. They offer a program called BookWorks — a Children’s literacy program that aims to provide new or slightly used books to children and families throughout EastCentral Ohio.
Through the generosity of area donors, Goodwill has a supply of children’s books that are distributed to area children through special events and partnerships with area schools and organizations. If your family is interested in receiving books, your child’s school can complete the form here.
Once completed, a member of Goodwill will reach out to schedule the book pick-up. Alternatively, you can send an email directly to Goodwill’s Mission Team to learn more about the program.
Relief Recap
This article shares a list of free school supplies available to the people of Gallipolis, OH. With a little effort, you can ensure your child has the supplies they need to succeed in school. Contact the providers on this list for help and don’t forget to keep track of the relevant dates so you don’t miss the giveaways.
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.