Get ready for Back to School season with free school supplies, free school clothes and more! Our team has scoured the internet to round up all the ways that your family can score free school supplies this year.
In this directory, you’ll find all the go-to sources for school supplies nationwide. You can get additional local support by selecting your state in the local listings below.
Free Backpack Giveaways in 2025
A backpack is essential for carrying school supplies but they can be expensive! Many organizations and programs across the country offer free backpack giveaways to help families in need. Usually, the backpack you receive will be filled with supplies as well.
Lerner & Rowe Injury Attorneys
Lerner & Rowe is back with more school supplies giveaways in 2025! Every year, these injury attorneys offer free backpacks stuffed with school supplies. To get one, your child has to attend an in-person event in one of seven cities around the United States.
Here’s the 2025 Event Schedule:
| Date | City & State | Location | Time | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 18 | Albuquerque, NM | New Mexico Expo Center | 4:00 PM | 1,000 |
| July 20 | Las Vegas, NV | Mojave High School | 11:00 AM | 750 |
| July 22 | Bullhead City, AZ | Mohave High School | 4:00 PM | 750 |
| July 23 | Yuma, AZ | Yuma County Fairgrounds | 4:00 PM | 1,000 |
| July 28 | Phoenix, AZ | Grand Canyon University | 4:00 PM | 1,200 + More Giveaways |
| July 30 | Tucson, AZ | Tucson Convention Center | 4:00 PM | 1,000 |
| August 3 | Chicago, IL | Sherman Park | 10:00 AM | 1,000 + Snacks, Activities |
Wireless Zone
Wireless Zone offers free backpacks filled with supplies every year. You have to pick up the backpack in-store at a certain day and time. They are only available while supplies last. There is a limit of one backpack per child.
The backpack giveaway occurs at the same time nationwide. You have to pick the items up in person on the specific day and time of the giveaway. Their 2025 School Rocks Backpack Giveaway Event will take place on July 27, 2025 at 1pm. You can receive one free backpack per child while supplies last.
There are 759 Wireless Zone locations in the United States. You can find participating locations in 33 states and Washington DC by using this locator tool.
Government Programs that Offer Free School Supplies
While often overlooked, many government programs exist to help families with the costs of school supplies. These programs can vary by state and eligibility requirements, but they are worth exploring to see if your family qualifies for assistance.
Medicaid
Since Medicaid has recently been affected by some substantial cuts, it is unclear if Medicaid will be able to help low income families with free school supplies this year.
In past years, various Medicaid plans in different states were able to offer some back to school support. In our review of various plans, we found that some offered filled backpacks, others provided gift cards, and still others helped pay for online tutoring, exam vouchers and more.
However, it is not clear if that support will continue in 2025. It’s possible that some plans will continue to offer this kind of support until 2026, or even beyond, depending on how things play out.
The best course of action is to check with your plan provider, visit your plan’s website, or ask your caseworker to see if those benefits are available in your area.
School District
Many school districts have extra school supplies on hand for families who are experiencing a financial hardship. If you cannot afford school supplies and cannot get help from any of these organizations, please contact your school district.
Some districts employ social workers, counselors, or resource specialists specifically to help homeless and low income students get the help that they need. You’ll need to inquire with your local school about what services they provide.
State Laws
Some states are requiring schools to provide all necessary supplies for low income students who can’t afford them. These laws are designed to ensure that every student has what they need to succeed, regardless of their family’s financial situation.
For example, California’s state laws are clear that school supplies are part of a free public education. Michigan also has similar state laws.
These laws help create a more equal learning environment for all students. If you’re unsure about your state’s policies, contact your child’s school or the local education department for more information. Making sure your child has the supplies they need can greatly impact their success in school.
National Free School Supplies Programs
Getting ready for a new school year can be challenging, especially when it comes to gathering all the necessary supplies. Fortunately, several national programs are available to help families in need. Below, you’ll find information on some key national programs that provide free school supplies to low income families in 2025.
The Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army provides back-to-school assistance for low income families. Assistance may include backpacks, school supplies, shoes and/or clothes! It depends on what is donated and available in your area.
In many areas, the application period begins in July. You’ll need to contact your local Salvation Army chapter for more information about how to apply.
The Assistance League’s Operation School Bell.
Operation School Bell is a nationwide program by The Assistance League. This program helps low income students have school supplies and clothes. They also provide scholarships and other support for low income students.
There are Assistance League chapters all over the country. In order to get help, you’ll need to reach out to your local organization for application instructions.
Catholic Charities
Many Catholic Charities locations run school supply drives and then distribute the gathered items to families in need. These programs may be able to help you get free school clothes and free supplies, including backpacks, pens, binders, pencils, markers, erasers, highlighters and more.
The United Way
The United Way has offices across the country. Many of them organize school supply drives for their local communities! For more information on these programs, you will need to contact your local United Way office.
You can usually reach the United Way by calling their 211 helpline. This helpline can help you find other resources in your area as well.
Love in the Name of Christ (Love INC)
Love INC is another nationwide organization that may be able to assist with school supplies. It depends on the services offered by your local chapter. We were able to confirm school supply assistance from Love INC in Oregon, Ohio, Michigan, and several other states.
St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul also offers free school clothes and supplies in many areas. Even if supplies are not available, you may be able to get free clothing vouchers that can be redeemed in their thrift stores. You’ll need to contact a St. Vincent de Paul affiliate in order to get more information about their offerings in your area.
Boys & Girls Clubs
If your child participates in your local Boys & Girls Clubs of America, then you may be able to get help with school supplies through that organization. They host annual Back2School campaigns to gather donations, so they may have some items available for your child.
Food Banks
Sometimes, food banks will offer free school supplies as well. It depends on donations and on the services that your local food bank offers, so you will need to contact them to check.
Even if your local food bank doesn’t help with school supplies, they may know about other community resources that do!
Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront provides military families with school supplies through the Back-to-School Brigade. Since its inception, Operation Homefront has distributed over 465,000 backpacks! The supplies are distributed at official Back-to-School Brigade events.
FREE School Supplies for Teachers in 2025
It’s no secret that teachers pay out-of-pocket for many of the supplies used in classrooms around the country. Please don’t forget to tell the teachers in your life about these free resources.
Kids in Need Foundation
The Kids in Need Foundation provides two large boxes of essential items (like pencils, scissors, paper, and notebooks) to teachers who serve in communities where at least 50% of the students receive free or reduced-price lunches. Supplies are limited! Apply here.
Target Circle
You can get a steep discount on school supplies when you link your school information to your Target Circle account. Don’t wait! You need to do this in time to have your teacher status verified before you shop.
Find Free School Supplies Near You
There are many organizations nationwide (such as Office Depot) that assemble backpacks for local communities. However, these organizations send those supplies to local community action agencies, who then pass the supplies on to local families.
The best place to find FREE school supplies is to search in your local area. There are many local events and donation programs that gather these supplies for low-income families.
We’ve done our best to research local organizations that can help but these organizations change every year. You will need to call and confirm that the agencies on this list are still participating in free school supply giveaways.
We have found free school supplies in the following areas:
Alabama
Arkansas
California
Homeless students who receive free weekly tutoring from School on Wheels (in California) can also receive backpacks and school supplies! Annually, they provide over 5,000 students with the tools they need to succeed in school! The agency will also assist with helping families locate lost school records and assist with school enrollment.
Colorado
Illinois
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
New York
North Carolina
Charlotte and Greensboro
Oregon
Pennsylvania
We have found several organizations in Pennsylvania that offer free school supplies for low income families. There were too many agencies to list in this post, so we built a separate statewide directory of free school supplies in Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Utah
Washington
Washington DC
There are free school supplies resources in Washington DC as well! Here’s the full list.
Frequently Asked Questions about Free School Supplies
We get a lot of questions about free school supplies. In this section, we’ll review some of the most common ones.
Can I get free school supplies by mail in 2025?
Usually, you will have to pick up free school supplies in person. It is not very common to see them mailed. Most assistance by mail programs are exclusively for the disabled, elderly or homebound.
How do I apply for free school supplies in 2025?
Application instructions vary depending on which program you are trying to apply for. Some charities have specific application instructions. In most cases, you’ll have to attend an in-person event. Some events, like the Wireless Zone’s backpack giveaway, are done on a first-come, first-served basis with no application at all.
When are they giving free school supplies?
It depends on the organization. For programs that require you to register in advance, it is common for applications to open early between May and July. However, most first-come, first-served free school supply giveaways happen later in the season, between July and August.
Who is giving away free school supplies?
There are many organizations and businesses that give away free school supplies. The largest distributors tend to be nationwide nonprofits, like The Salvation Army. Sometimes companies, like Verizon, distribute free school supplies as well.
Summary
There are many ways to get free school supplies, including backpacks, in 2025! Many organizations gather school supply and school clothes donations to distribute to low income Americans. This organization has outlined many ways that you can find these organizations and events in your community.
Where is Polk county can you get free school supplies
Hi. If the resources listed are not available in your area, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything local.
my Grandchildren are going through a lot right now , money is low and I am on disability. please hep My daughter. she has two one is 14 and one is 8 yrs old.
Hi Glenda. If the resources listed are not available in your area, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything local. Hopefully, they can help.
I laid off from my job about 2 weeks ago and I’m not big on asking for help but it’s not my daughters fault and she shouldn’t have to have to suffer, because I was laid off, so any help she can get will be very much appreciated, thanks for anything u can do….
Hi. If the resources listed are not available in your area, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything local.
i live in chula vista ca iam in need of school supplies for my three kids thank you
Hi Blanca. It may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any resources in your area.
looking for school supplies in lima ohio
Hi. If the information above isn’t helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they know of.
Hello! Please help me with free school supply materials I’m in Conakry Guinea west Africa
Unfortunately, we only cover information about the United States.
Hello, I am a school bus driver for Raleigh, NC. Some of the students I transport to and from school are low-income, refugee students. I am looking for charities that will donate school supplies to those students.
Hi Robert. If the resources above have not been helpful, it may be worth contacting 211 to see if they know of anything in your area.
I live in Pensacola Florida I’m trying to get my child and 7 other children clothes and supplies
Hi Meagan. If the resources above are not helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any resources in your area.
Need help finding school supplies in Fort Wayne indiana
Hi Ashley. IF the resources above have not been helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest.
I’m needing resources for school supplies and school clothing for my three grandsons. We help our daughter, who raises all three of them without any of their father’s help, as much as we can but I’m disabled and my spouse quit working so he could take care of me. Our income is limited and barely supports the two of us and our youngest daughter who still lives at home. We live near Kansas City, Kansas and therefore Kansas City, Missouri too. Any and all help is appreciated!
Hi April. If the resources above have not been helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything in your local area.
Hi, I’m looking to find where I can receive help with free school supplies in the Sussex county area of southern Delaware.
Hi Kristin. If the resources above have not been helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything in your local area.
I live in SC, there is very little help in my area. I am raising my grandson,he is James Brown and is 12 going into middle school this school year. He lost both of his parents to the SC Department of Corrections. Both his mother and Father received very long sentences for different separate issues. I am on disabled with PTSD and struggle with anxiety and major depression and on a very limited income. James is taking things very hard and I am going to do whatever it takes to make sure he has what he needs to grow up a successful christian man. I don’t have transportation which makes things more stressful.I am in need of school clothes for him this year. He went through a growth spurt and have our grew his clothes .I am afraid he is becoming an emotional eater.I have made an appointment with his doctor for tomorrow matter of fact for his wellness check where I will be descusing these issues and also his depression issues. I have been looking online for help which is why I am reaching out to you asking for your assistance. Thank you and I hope I hear from you soon. With love to all and harm to none.
Hi Shelia. It’s wonderful that James has you to support him.
If the resources above have not been helpful for getting school supplies, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any other resources in your area.
aschool supplies in florida palm beach county
Hi. You can try calling 211 to see if they know of any resources in your area.
Is there anywhere that is helping students in southern indiana? Around the Paoli area?
Hi. You can try calling 211 to see if they know of any resources in your area.
Hi wanted to know if you have any free school supplies in NJ i can see anything for NJ
Thanks
Hi Maria. It may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any local programs.
You mentioned the homebound and disabled throughout this article. I would appreciate an article based upon those who may need supplies of any kind donated to their doorsteps or mailboxes. Thank you!
Hi Michelle. Thank you for the feedback!
Here’s an article that may be worth checking out: https://lowincomerelief.com/grocery-delivery-that-accepts-ebt/
Hi my name is Corrinna I’m a mother of 4 I was wondering if u could help me out with school clothes and shoes
Hi Corrinna. We do not provide school supplies. We give you the information on organizations that can help.
If none of the ones listed have been helpful to you, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any additional options in your area.
im c Ann Wilson, I was in a severe car accident last year and almost lost a leg. I am living in constant pain and cannot work. I have a boy and girl age 9 and 6. I cannot afford school supplies, shoes or clothes. I can prove what im saying is true asnd am really in dire trouble. My baby dad lost a leg in tnhe accident and cannot help.
How about other areas of Illinois OTHER THAN Cook County/ Chicago
there are low-income families in 101 other Counties that need help too. Please find and share a list for us. thank-you.