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!
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”
The back to school extravaganza at St.lukes UMC event is full and registration was required.
Thanks for the update! At the time of publishing, registrations were still being accepted.
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.
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??
Sorry. We only provide info for central Indiana.
Where can I get 5th and 6th grade school supplies I missed the one in beech Grove.
Is anyone still doing school giveaways
Hi Kimberly, all info is in this article, including dates and locations.
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
Thank you Sherry, it looks like the event info has changed since our publish date in June. I’ll update this one. Thank you for the updated info.
My confirmation for st Lukes back to school extravaganza says July 21, 10am-2pm, instead of the july 28-29.thanjs
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.
Help me find school supplies for the children of Northwest Indiana
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.
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?
Hi Sharon,
I would urge you to reach out to the organizations listed or call 211.
I hope they can help you: https://indywithkids.com/indy-area-free-school-supplies-families-need/
Beautiful
Pingback: Herd Strategies » #FridayFocus: Back To School: Where to find FREE School Supplies
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!
Hi! This is current! Thank you for sharing! We’ll add more as we come across them.