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 list of “must-buys” becomes too long. If you’re searching for “free backpacks and school supplies near me,” we hope this guide helps you find all the gear your kids need for a successful start to the school year.
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. Contact 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 with Free Backpacks and School Supplies Near Me
Please note: For most events, your school-aged children must be present to collect backpacks and other supplies.
Back to School Bash
Indy Hygiene Hub, 9511 Angola Court, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10 am – 1 pm
At this event, families can pick up hygiene items and school supplies, as well as special services such as haircuts for school-aged children and more! Register ahead of time and bring a photo ID.
Free hygiene items, school supplies, haircuts, and more.
Operation Backpack
Vertical Church, 620 N Carr Road, Plainfield
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 11 am – 1 pm
Games, free food, and backpacks filled with school supplies will be available while supplies last.
Free backpacks filled with school supplies.
H.O.P.S. CARES Community School Supply Giveaway
2110 W. 38th Street, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 11 am – 1 pm
Middle and high school students are invited to stock up on free backpacks and school supplies while supplies last. The event also features food, face painting, vendors, and more. Registration required.
Free backpacks filled with school supplies and community resources.
Hancock County Community Night
Hancock County Fairgrounds, 620 Apple Street, Greenfield
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 5 – 8 pm
This free family event will feature backpacks and school supplies, bounce houses, car seat checks, nonprofit resource booths, Touch-a-Truck vehicles, food, water, snow cones, and a raffle.
Free backpacks, school supplies, food, snow cones, family activities, resources, and more.
Back-to-School Kickoff
Shelbyville Road Church of Christ, 4915 Shelbyville Road, Indianapolis
Wednesday, July 22 – Friday, July 24, 2026, 5 – 6:30 pm each evening
Families can enjoy a free dinner and activities while picking up school supplies and backpacks, available while supplies last. Registration is requested to help organizers prepare enough food and supplies. Guests are also invited to stay for a brief worship service at 6:45 pm each evening.
Free backpacks, school supplies, dinner, and family activities.
Backpacks 4 Good
Friday, July 24, 2026, 11 am – 1 pm
Hensley Legal Group Office in Greenwood, 107 N State Road 135, Greenwood
All Indiana students are welcome to receive a backpack full of school supplies provided by Hensley Legal Group. Backpacks are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and students must be present. Preregistration is recommended but not required.
Free backpacks with school supplies.
Backpacks 4 Good
Saturday, July 25, 2026, 11 am – 1 pm
Hensley Legal Group Office in Fishers, 8350 Sunlight Drive, Fishers
All Indiana students are welcome to receive a backpack full of school supplies provided by Hensley Legal Group. Backpacks are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and students must be present. Preregistration is recommended but not required.
Back-to-School Block Party
Indianapolis Urban League, 759 Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 25, 2026, 10 am – 1 pm
Join the party and enjoy free food, entertainment, and bounce houses. Kids can also get a complimentary haircut and health screening. Free backpacks and school supplies offered while supplies last. Children must be present to receive backpacks.
Free haircuts, health screenings, and backpacks filled with school supplies.
The Villages of Indiana and CareSource Wellness Day
Children’s Village Childcare Center, 5555 Galeao Court, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 25, 2026, 10 am – 2 pm
Families can access hearing and vision screenings, well-child checks, immunizations, dental exams, physicals, and other health services to help children prepare for the school year. Advance registration is encouraged for immunizations and dental exams. Dental exams are free for Medicaid members and $20 without insurance, and youth physicals are $10.
Free clear backpacks, school supplies, health screenings, immunizations, kids’ activities, treats, and community resources.
Back 2 School Community Day and Block Party
New Direction Church, 5640 East 38th Street, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 25, 2026, 11 am – 2 pm
Families can attend this free back-to-school community event for backpacks, school supplies, school uniforms, school sneakers and shoes, food, Kuts 4 Kids, dental screenings, and more.
Free backpacks, school supplies, school uniforms, shoes, food, haircuts, and dental screenings.
Back-to-School Community Resource Day
Barnes United Methodist Church, 900 W 30th Street, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 25, 2026, TIME TBA
Marion County families with children ages 4-17 can receive a book bag filled with supplies, haircuts, food, and more. Families must pre-register to guarantee back-to-school supplies. Stick around to enjoy bounce houses, face painting, and other activities.
Free haircuts and backpacks filled with school supplies.
Back-to-School Parking Lot “Take Away” Event
Fletcher Place Community Center, 1637 Prospect Street, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 25, 2026, 11 am – 1 pm
Families can pick up free school supplies, clothing, shoes, and household items during this community giveaway. The event is open to everyone and will take place in the parking lot behind the building.
2026 Back-to-School Backpack Bash
Apostolic Pentecostal Church, 1202 East 5th Street, Greenfield
Saturday, July 25, 2026, 1 – 3 pm
Students from kindergarten through college and continuing education programs can receive backpacks and school supplies to help them begin the new school year.
Free backpacks and school supplies.
Catch the Stars Foundation Backpack Giveaway
Tarkington Park, 3967 N. Illinois Street, Indianapolis
Sunday, July 26, 2026, 2 pm – 4 pm
Tamika Catchings hosts her annual Back to School Celebration at Tarkington Park. Families need to register ahead of time for a free backpack. The party continues with live music, haircuts, and other giveaways.
Free backpacks filled with school supplies, haircuts, and more.
TCC’s Backpack Giveaway 2026
Various Locations
Sunday, July 26, 1 pm
Participating TCC and Verizon stores around the country will be handing out free backpacks filled with school supplies, 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.
Shalom Dr. Dannee Neal “Back To School” Health Fair 2026
Shalom Health Care Center, 3400 Lafayette Road, Suite 200, Indianapolis
Monday, July 27, 2026, TIME TBA
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.
Back to School Resource Fair
Haughville Branch Library, 2121 W. Michigan Street, Indianapolis
Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 4:30 – 7:30 pm
The Back to School Community Resource Fair is free and open to the public. Families can enjoy food, games, crafts, and activities for all ages.
Free backpacks, food, and haircuts for kids will be available while supplies last. Parents can also learn about resources from Hawthorne Community Center and other area organizations to help prepare for the new school year.
Free backpacks, food, games, crafts, activities, and kids’ haircuts.
Hancock4Kids Back to School Night
Hancock4Kids, 5809 West Airport Boulevard, Greenfield
Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 4:30 – 7 pm
Families can receive free full-size backpacks and school supplies while enjoying face painting, giveaways, a coloring contest, a photo booth, Touch-a-Truck activities, fire department demonstrations, free vaccinations, vision screenings, and community resource booths. The first 400 children will also receive a free hot dog, chips, and a drink.
Free backpacks, school supplies, food, vaccinations, vision screenings, activities, and giveaways.
MSD Decatur Township: School Supply Backpack Giveaway
This 2026 backpack/school supply giveaway is for Decatur students only. In early July, check ParentSquare for the Google Form to sign up for a clear or standard backpack. Applicants will be verified through Skyward Family Access. If backpacks are assigned, you will receive an email confirmation. Backpacks will be picked up on July 16th during registration (9 AM-12 PM or 4-6 PM) at the school you selected through the form.
Free backpacks with school supplies.
Where to Donate
Operation Backpack, a Volunteers of America project, collects new school supplies and backpacks to distribute to children throughout central Indiana. Download their supply list online and drop off purchases at one of several drop-off locations around Indianapolis. Use their wish list to shop online and have supplies delivered straight to the office. Donations are accepted via shipping through July 17.
Teacher’s Treasures is a local organization that helps teachers help students. Teachers can “shop” for supplies they need in their classrooms. Donations are accepted during business hours, and monetary donations can be made online.
Brightlane Learning provides tutors for students experiencing homelessness. This program functions on volunteers and donations, providing academic support for vulnerable students. Brightlane accepts monetary donations on its website, and there’s a link to its Amazon wish list there as well.
Indy Hygiene Hub is a non-profit group that provides essential items to families in need. In preparation for their Back to School Bash, they collect items to give away at the event. You can 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.
Summer isn’t over yet! Make the most of it with ideas from our summer bucket list.
Learn more about reduced museum admission through the Indiana Access Pass.
Events for free school supplies in Indianapolis that have ended
Back to School Community Resource Day
Marion County Public Health Department, 3838 N Rural St, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 11, 2026 8:30 am – 12 pm
Students can get their sports physicals, immunizations, dental screenings, vision screenings, and free school supplies.
Health Screenings, physicals, immunizations, school supplies.
Back to School Fest
Pike High School, 6801 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 11, 2026, 10 am – 1 pm
Families on the northwest side can celebrate the start of a new school year at the OrthoIndy Foundation YMCA’s Back to School Fest.
This free community event will provide 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to students attending with a parent or guardian. Families can also enjoy bounce houses, games, community vendors, a football clinic, free food, prizes, and giveaways. Attendees may also get the chance to meet Michael Jerrell, an offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons and a Pike High School graduate. Registration required.
Free backpacks, school supplies, food, bounce houses, games, vendors, giveaways, and a football clinic.
Mayor’s Latino Advisory Council’s Backpack Giveaway
Shephed Community Center, 4107 East Washington Street, Indianapolis
Sunday, July 12, 2026, 1 pm – 3 pm
All local families are welcome at this free family event! Attendees who register in advance will receive backpacks filled with school supplies. You can also expect snacks, drinks, music, and more!
Free backpacks filled with school supplies and school uniforms.
18 thoughts on “Free Backpacks and Free School Supplies Near Me | 2026”
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
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