Back to school is exciting. it is also expensive. Here are some places you can get help for students at home if the “must buy” list gets too long.
do you need school supplies or uniforms?
Many churches and organizations raise funds to provide backpacks filled with supplies. Organizations like Operation School Bell collect and distribute supplies directly to schools, where they are then delivered to families in need. try contacting your school to see if they can offer your child help with supplies from these organizations.
Individual schools in ips and other districts that use uniforms frequently offer exchange programs or uniform sales. contact your child’s school to ask about similar programs!
events that provide backpacks, supplies & more
Please note: For most events, children must be present to pick up backpacks and other supplies.
backpack attack on whiteland christ church
Saturday, July 16, 11 am – 1 pm whiteland church of christ, 625 w 600 n, whiteland
Backpacks and school supplies available for free while supplies last, children must be present. kids have the opportunity to get a free back-to-school haircut and kroger’s little clinic will be on site to discuss school-required immunizations, sports physicals and other services they offer. this event is free.
gift of free school supplies and backpacks and free haircuts.
back to school party
Saturday, July 16, 10am-1pm Mercy Highway Church- Northwest, 9511 Angola Court, Indianapolis
Families will be able to pick up hygiene items and school supplies at this event, as well as special services including haircuts for school-aged children, family photos and more! bring a photo ID.
Hygiene items, school supplies, haircuts and free family photos.
backpacks 4 good drive-thru
Saturday, July 16, 10am-1pm8350 sunlight drive suite 300, fishers
This event, organized by hensley legal group, is run as a tour. It couldn’t be easier for K-6 students, accompanied by their parents, to pick up one of the 5,000 backpacks filled with school supplies. pre-register and write a review for a chance to win a prize package.
backpack gift
Friday, July 22, 6-9 pm Abundant Life Church, 7606 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis
shalom dr. dannee neal’s “back to school” health fair 2022
Saturday, July 23, 10 am-2 pm shalom health center, 3400 lafayette road suite 200, indianapolis
This health fair offers health screenings, wellness education and information for children and their families. It will include free school and sports physicals, immunizations, ten different medical exams, a kids zone, bike raffle, backpack giveaways and much more!
Free physicals, immunizations and backpacks full of school supplies.
back to school party at 9th street park
Saturday, July 23, 10 am – 3 pm 9th street park, 1023 9th st, columbus
Pick up free backpacks filled with school supplies and take advantage of low-cost immunizations administered by the St Francis Alliance. Free lunches will be available from 11 am to 1 pm. Bartholomew County families can also participate in games, a silent auction, and a pet food drive to benefit Thor’s Pet Food Pantry.
Free backpacks filled with school supplies, low cost immunizations and free lunch.
operation backpack
Saturday, July 23, 11am-1pm Vertical Church, 620 N Carr Road, Plainfield
inflatables, free food and backpacks full of school supplies will be available while supplies last.
Free backpacks filled with school supplies.
back to school party 2022
Saturday, July 23, 11am-2pm Diversity Church – North Indy, 2415 E 72nd Street, Indianapolis
The Blessing of Backpacks and the Church of Diversity – North Indy are collaborating to provide supplies to families in need. this year 500 backpacks full of supplies will be distributed at the event.
Free backpacks filled with school supplies.
ips back to school fest
Monday, July 25, 11 am-2 pm and 4 pm-6 pm Northwest Middle School, 5525 W. 34th St., Indianapolis Sankofa Success School, 5801 30th St., Indianapolis
This festival will provide backpacks filled with school supplies, free school uniforms (while supplies last), and other goodies for all ips families at this event. Check out the mascots and cheerleaders from the local sports team while you’re there!
Free backpacks filled with school supplies and school uniforms.
back to school party 2022
Saturday, July 30, 10am-2pm westminster neighborhood services, 2325 e new york street, indianapolis
families will be able to pick up uniforms, backpacks and school supplies at this event. Free lunch will be available beginning at 10:30 am. supplies are available on a first-come, first-served basis. ID is not required, but as with most events, students must be present.
free uniforms and backpacks full of school supplies.
back to school party
Saturday, July 30, 10am-1pm Indianapolis Urban League, 777 Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis
Free backpacks and school supplies while supplies last. children must be present to receive backpacks.
Free backpacks full of school supplies.
tcc 2022 backpack draw
Sunday, July 31, 11-4 pm
Participating stores across the country will give away free backpacks filled with school supplies that day, while supplies last. backpacks will be delivered in order of arrival. each child who receives a backpack must be there with you at the drawing. find a list of participating stores on their website.
free backpacks full of school supplies.
back to school community resource day 2022
Saturday, August 13, noon-4 pm Barnes United Methodist Church, 900 W 30th Street, Indianapolis
Marion County families with children ages 4-17 can receive a new pair of shoes, a backpack full of supplies, and more. families must pre-register to ensure return to school.
Free shoes and backpacks full of school supplies.
perry township sharing event
date and time tba southport elementary school, 261 anniston drive, indianapolis
This free school supply delivery service will have prepackaged supply bags with many of the supplies needed, depending on your child’s level (elementary, middle, high school). you must register all children.
Free school supplies.
assistance with school supplies 2022
sheridan high school, 24185 hinesley road, sheridan
families will pick up items in the sheridan high school parking lot and place them in the car. sheridan youth assistance, mom’s closet and local churches will host the back to school party. this program is open to families in the sheridan school district. the 2022 registration deadline was June 23, but we wanted to include this opportunity for families to keep in mind for years to come.
Free school supplies.
where to donate
Operation Backpack, a volunteer project of america, is collecting new school supplies and backpacks to distribute to children throughout central indiana. Download your supply list online and drop off purchases at the Volunteer America office in downtown Indy on July 19 or 20. if you prefer, use your wish list to shop online and have supplies delivered right to the office. donations are accepted by mail until July 25.
Teacher’s Treasures is a local organization that helps teachers help students. teachers can “shop” for the supplies they need in their classrooms. donations are accepted during business hours and monetary donations can be made online.
school on wheelsprovides tutors for homeless students. This program works with volunteers and donations, providing academic support to vulnerable students. school on wheels accepts monetary donations on their website, and there is also a link to their amazon wish list there.
dotted line divas is a nonprofit group that puts its couponing skills to excellent use to provide essential items to families in need. this year, they are hosting the back to school party at the church’s northwest location on mercy road. They have a collection box for new school supplies and backpacks at Just Love Coffee in Carmel. You can also shop on their Amazon Wish List to donate virtually!
united way of central indiana each county office has a coordinator for area donations. Please contact United Way directly for information on how to contact your local coordinator.
unconfirmed events for 2022
msd decatur township: gift of backpacks with school supplies
5650 mann road, indianapolis
Backpacks filled with school supplies will be available to Decatur Township students in grades K-12 on a first-come, first-served basis during this drive-thru drawing.
gift of school supplies
7101 shadeland avenue, indianapolis
in association with castleton square mall & The Fashion Mall, Lawrence Township MSD is happy to provide free back-to-school supplies to anyone who stops by! stop by between 11 am and 1 pm in the castleton united methodist church parking lot. look for the big blue bus lt!
gift of school supplies
5301 north franklin road, indianapolis
in association with castleton square mall & The Fashion Mall, Lawrence Township MSD is happy to provide free back-to-school supplies to anyone who stops by! pass between 2 p.m. m. and 4 p.m. m. in the lawrence community park parking lot. look for the big blue bus lt!
back to school gift
barbershop dreams faded
former indiana pacers player & Indiana native Glenn Robinson III hosts a back-to-school event on Sunday with school supplies and haircuts.
Free school supplies and haircuts!
perry township uniform sale
6548 orinoco avenue
Annual sale of gently used school uniforms in Perry Township Large selection of quality uniforms, from kindergarten to adult, at a moderate price of $3 to $6. cash, check and credit/debit cards are accepted.
back to school party at franklin park church
Come celebrate summer vacation with free school supplies, a Christian rapper, an outdoor movie, and an amazing fireworks display. there will also be a cash award and a gift card. You won’t want to miss this exciting party! this event is free, but concessions are available for a fee.
Free gift of school supplies.
wacky backpack back to school at andy mohr kia in avon
tba food, fun, face painting and more! the boy in the bowtie will give away 150 backpacks full of school supplies and goodies for the children.
Free gift of school supplies and backpacks.