Back to school time: Here’s where to score free backpacks and supplies in Pennsylvania

If you are struggling with the cost of school supplies for your child, try hitting up one of these community events to score some free backpacks and supplies.

Students in Pennsylvania will be heading back to school later this month and many families are struggling with the high cost of backpacks and supplies. Fortunately, there are several opportunities throughout the commonwealth to score free supplies. 

Note: This list is by no means complete. If you do not see an event in your local area, consider contacting your local United Way or charitable organization to see what services are available in your area. Or visit pa211.org for a list of resources in your area.

Western Pennsylvania

Back-to-School Backpack Bash: The Salvation Army, 8020 Frankstown Ave., Pittsburgh, is holding an event to provide students in grades K-12 with backpacks and school uniforms on Aug. 22 from 3 to 6 p.m.

Back 2 School Bash: The Salvation Army, 378 Jefferson St., Rochester, is holding an event to provide school supplies and backpacks on Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Operation Backpack: Volunteers of America of Pennsylvania – Southwestern Pennsylvania, 600 Clay St., Pittsburgh, is hosting a Back to School Resource Fair to provide new backpacks and school supplies for low income children on Aug. 18 from 3 to 6 p.m.

Stuff the Bus Back-to-School Event: The Greene County United Way is holding an event to provide school supplies for students in Greene County at the Lions Club Community Park, E. Oakview Dr., Waynesburg, on Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Back to School Bash: The Indiana County Back to School Bash, 100 S. 6th St., Indiana, provides school supplies for low income children on Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Back to School Bash: The City Rescue Mission, 125 W. Grant St., New Castle, is hosting a Back to School Bash to provide school supplies for children in grades K-12 on Aug. 7 from 3 to 7 p.m.

NEPA

Back to School Community Festival: The Salvation Army, 17 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre, is hosting an event to provide school supplies and haircuts to school-aged children on Aug. 19 at 9:30 a.m.

Back to School Giveaway: The United NEPA Alliance, Coal Street Park, Wilkes-Barre, is hosting an event to provide backpacks and school supplies on Aug. 24 from 12 to 3 p.m.

Eastern Pennsylvania

No Child Left Behind Event: The Third Street Alliance for Women and Children, 41 N. Third St., Easton, is hosting a back to school event to provide backpacks to students from preschool to high school on Aug. 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Back to School Celebration: The Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, 409 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem, is holding a backpack giveaway on Aug. 18 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Backpack Giveaway: The Salvation Army, 144 N. Eighth St., Allentown, is hosting a backpack giveaway for children from grades 1-12 on Aug. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Block 2 School: The Block Gives Back is hosting an event in the 6300 block of Torresdale Avenue to provide backpacks filled with school supplies on Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Central Pennsylvania

Backpack Giveaway Event: The Solanco Neighborhood Ministries, 14 S. Church St., Quarryville, is hosting a backpack giveaway for children in grades K-12 in the Solanco School District on Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Back to School Giveaway: Rep. P. Michael Sturla (D-Lancaster) and Rep. Ismail Smith Wade-El (D-Lancaster) are hosting a back-to-school giveaway event for students in grades K-8 in the Lancaster, Manheim Township, Hempfield, and Penn Manor school districts at Clipper Magazine Stadium, 600 N. Prince St., Lancaster, on Aug. 18. Registration is from 12 to 2:30 p.m., with the giveaway taking place after that. Festivities continue to 4 p.m. with a free Lancaster Barnstormers’ game at 5 p.m.

Backpack Giveaway: The Lancaster First Assembly of God, 1025 Columbia Ave., Lancaster, is hosting a backpack giveaway for children from grades K-6 on Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.