Free School Supplies, Backpacks, Haircuts, Uniforms, Health Screenings

Back to school time is exciting. It’s also expensive. Here are some places where you can get assistance for the students in your home if the lists of “must-buys” becomes too long.

Need School Supplies or Uniforms?

Many churches and organizations do fundraisers to provide backpacks full of supplies. Organizations like Operation School Bell collect and distribute supplies directly to schools where they are then passed on to families in need. Try contacting your school to see if they can offer your child assistance with supplies from these organizations.

Individual schools in IPS and other uniform-wearing districts frequently offer uniform trade-in programs or sales. Contact your child’s school to ask about similar programs!

Events Providing Backpacks, Supplies, & More

Please note: For most events, children must be present to collect backpacks and other supplies.

Backpack Attack at Whiteland Church of Christ

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 The Little Clinic will be onsite to discuss school required immunizations, sports physicals, and other services that they offer. This event is free.

Free school supply and backpack giveaway and free haircuts.

Back to School Bash

Saturday, July 16, 10 am-1 pm
Mercy Road 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.

Free hygiene items, school supplies, haircuts, and family photos.

Backpacks 4 Good Drive-Thru

Saturday, July 16, 10 am-1 pm
8350 Sunlight Drive Suite 300, Fishers

This event, hosted by Hensley Legal Group, is held as a drive through. It couldn’t be simpler for K-6 students, accompanied by parents, to pick up one of 5,000 backpacks filled with school supplies. Pre-register and write a review for a chance to win a prize package.

Backpack Giveaway

Friday, July 22, 6-9 pm
Abundant Life Church, 7606 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis

Join Abundant Life Church for a free Backpack Giveaway. There will be free food, live music, bounce houses, Kona Ice, and of course backpacks. Backpacks will be given away on a first come-first serve basis. This is a free community event for anyone who wants to attend!

Free backpacks with school supplies.

Shalom Dr. Dannee Neal “Back To School” Health Fair 2022

Saturday, July 23, 10 am-2 pm
Shalom Health Care Center, 3400 Lafayette Road Suite 200, Indianapolis

This health fair provides health screenings, wellness education, and information for children and their families. It will include FREE school and sports physicals, immunizations, ten different medical screenings, a Kid’s Zone, bicycle raffle, backpack giveaways, and much more!

Free physicals, immunizations, and backpacks filled with school supplies.

9th Street Park Back to School Bash

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 St Francis Alliance. Free lunches will be available from 11 am – 1 pm. Bartholomew County families can also participate in games, a silent auction, and a pet food drive benefiting Thor’s Pet Food Pantry.

Free backpacks filled with school supplies, low cost vaccines, and free lunch.

Operation Backpack

Saturday, July 23, 11 am-1 pm
Vertical Church, 620 N Carr Road, Plainfield

Inflatables, free food, and backpacks filled with school supplies will be available while supplies last.

Free backpacks filled with school supplies.

2022 Back to School Bash

Saturday, July 23, 11 am-2 pm
Diversity Church – North Indy, 2415 E 72nd Street, Indianapolis

Backpack Blessing and Diversity Church- North Indy are collaborating to provide supplies to families in need. This year, 500 backpacks full of supplies will be given out at the event.

Free backpacks filled with school supplies.

IPS Back-to-School Festival

Monday, July 25, 11 am-2 pm and 4 pm-6 pm
Northwest Middle School, 5525 W. 34th St., Indianapolis
Sankofa School of Success, 5801 30th St., Indianapolis

This festival will provide backpacks filled with school supplies, free school uniforms (while supplies last), and other giveaways to all IPS families at this event. Check out the local sports team’s mascots and cheerleaders while you’re there!

Free backpacks filled with school supplies and school uniforms.

2022 Back to School Bash

Saturday, July 30, 10 am-2 pm
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 starting at 10:30 am.  Supplies are available on a first come, first serve basis. Identification is not required, but like most events, students must be present.

Free uniforms and backpacks filled with school supplies.

Back to School Block Party

Saturday, July 30, 10 am-1 pm
Indianapolis Urban League, 777 Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis

Free backpacks and school supplies while supplies last. Children must be present to receive backpacks.

Free backpacks filled with school supplies.


TCC’s Backpack Giveaway 2022

Sunday, July 31, 11-4 pm

Participating stores around the country will be handing out free backpacks filled with school supplies on that day, while supplies last. Backpacks will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. Each child receiving a backpack must be there with you at the giveaway. Find a list of participating stores on their website.

Free backpacks filled with 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 4-17 can receive a new pair of shoes, book bag filled with supplies, and more. Families must pre-register to guarantee back to school supplies.

Free shoes and backpacks filled with school supplies.

Perry Township SHARE Event

Date and Time TBA
Southport Elementary School, 261 Anniston Drive, Indianapolis

This free school supply drive-thru will have supply bags pre-packed with many of the necessary supplies, based on your child’s level (elementary, middle, high). You MUST register EVERY child.

Free school supplies.

2022 School Supply Assistance

Sheridan High School, 24185 Hinesley Road, Sheridan

Families will pick up items at Sheridan High School parking lot and items will be placed in the car. Sheridan Youth Assistance, MAMA’s Cupboard and local churches will host the Back to School Bash. 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 future years.

Free school supplies.

Where to Donate

Operation Backpack, a project of Volunteers of America, is collecting new school supplies and backpacks to distribute to children throughout central Indiana. Download their supply list online and drop off purchases at the Volunteers of America office in downtown Indy on July 19 or 20. If you prefer, use their wish list to shop online and have supplies delivered straight to the office. Donations accepted via shipping through July 25.

Teacher’s Treasures is a local organization that helps teachers help students. Teachers are able to “shop” for supplies they need in their classrooms. Donations are accepted during business hours, and monetary donations can be made online.

School on Wheels provides tutors for students experiencing homelessness. This program functions on volunteers and donations, providing academic support for vulnerable students. School on Wheels accepts monetary donations on their website, and there’s a link to their Amazon wish list there as well.

Dotted Line Divas is a non-profit group puts their couponing skills to excellent use providing essential items to families in need. This year, they are hosting the Back to School bash at Mercy Road Church’s Northwest location. They have a collection box for new school supplies and backpacks at Just Love Coffee in Carmel. You can also shop their Amazon wish list to donate virtually!

United Way of Central Indiana Each county office has a coordinator for area donations. Contact United Way directly to find information on how to reach your local coordinator.

Events Not Confirmed for 2022

MSD Decatur Township: School Supply Backpack Giveaway

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 serve basis during this drive-through giveaway.

Back to School Supply Giveaway

7101 Shadeland Avenue, Indianapolis

In partnership with Castleton Square Mall & The Fashion Mall, the MSD of Lawrence Township is excited to provide free Back-to-School supplies for anyone who stops by!
Stop by between 11 AM – 1 PM in the parking lot at Castleton United Methodist Church. Look for the big blue LT bus!

Back to School Supply Giveaway

5301 North Franklin Road, Indianapolis

In partnership with Castleton Square Mall & The Fashion Mall, the MSD of Lawrence Township is excited to provide free Back-to-School supplies for anyone who stops by!
Stop by between 2pm-4pm in the parking lot of Lawrence Community Park. Look for the big blue LT bus!

Back-to-School Giveaway

Faded Dreams Barbershop

Former Indiana Pacers player & Indiana native Glenn Robinson III hosting a back to school event Sunday with school supplies and haircuts.

Free school supplies and haircuts!

Perry Township Uniform Sale

6548 Orinoco Avenue

Perry Township Annual Gently Used School Uniform Sale
Huge selection of quality uniform clothing, sizes Kindergarten through Adult, gently priced $3-$6! Cash, check, and credit/debit cards accepted.

Back to School Bash at Franklin Park Church

Come Celebrate Summer Break with free school supplies, a Christian rapper, outdoor movie and an incredible fireworks show. There will also be a cash concession and a gift card giveaway. You don’t want to miss this exciting bash! This event is free but concessions are available for a fee.

Free school supply giveaway.

Back-to-School Backpack Extravaganza at Andy Mohr Kia in Avon

TBA
Food, fun, face painting and more! The Bowtie Guy will be giving away 150 backpacks filled with school supplies and goodies for the kids.

Free school supply and backpack giveaway.

20 thoughts on “Free School Supplies, Backpacks, Haircuts, Uniforms, Health Screenings”

    1. Annie sanglton

      Hi when do you have signed up for next year. Back to school fI
      Fair. My son family live in Anderson ind. I have 2 grandsons. That go to school. and thanks.

  1. Ruth Marie Severio

    Where can I get help with shoes, uniforms, booksacks, supplies and school stuff ect?? I have 4 children and I handicap and fighting for disability and can’t afford all this stuff for my children I feel like a horrible parent but my kids are my life and I live in Livingston, Louisiana and was wondering where I could get help with all this for my children??

  2. I believe the date for back to school at urban league is incorrect. When I clicked on the link it stated July 28, not July 22. Thanks

  3. My confirmation for st Lukes back to school extravaganza says July 21, 10am-2pm, instead of the july 28-29.thanjs

    1. Hi Sherry,
      Your appointment time might be different than what was offered to the public during the time this article was published. At this time, ALL St. Lukes appointments are full. Thanks for the heads up.

    1. Hi Gregory! I’ll keep my eyes and ears open and try to get a resource together for next school year! I’ll let you know if I find anything for this year.

  4. Sharon R Steinbecker

    Where do I find my grandson free school supplies? They just moved here from Tennessee. Mom and Dad are bothered out of work. Do you know anyone that can help. I’m on social security and I barely make it my self. Can you please help them?

  5. Pingback: Herd Strategies » #FridayFocus: Back To School: Where to find FREE School Supplies

  6. Hello. I didn’t see an article date under your name. Is this current for back to school now or last summer? Was going to share. Thanks!

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