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. 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 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.
Backpacks 4 Good
Hensley Legal Group – Greenwood, 107 N State Road 135, Greenwood
Friday, July 12, 12-2 pm
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. Meet Freddy Fever, the Indiana Fever mascot, at the Greenwood drive-through event and enter to win a Microsoft Surface laptop!
Free backpacks with school supplies.
Backpacks 4 Good
Hensley Legal Group – Fishers, 8350 Sunlight Drive, Fishers
Saturday, July 13, 10 am-12 pm
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. You can also enter to win a Microsoft Surface laptop!
Free backpacks with school supplies.
MSD Decatur Township: School Supply Backpack Giveaway
DELC Blue & Gold Academies, 5650 Mann Road, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 13, 10 am-12 pm
School-approved clear 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. There is a limit of 2 backpacks per car unless students are present.
Free backpacks with school supplies.
Backpack Giveaway
Abundant Life Church, 7606 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis
Friday, July 19, 6-9 pm
Join Abundant Life Church for a free Backpack Giveaway. There will be free food, live music, bounce houses, 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.
Back to School Bash
Indy Hygiene Hub, 9511 Angola Court, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 20, 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, cell phones for qualifying guests, and more! Register ahead of time and bring a photo ID.
Free hygiene items, school supplies, haircuts, and phones.
Operation Backpack
Vertical Church, 620 N Carr Road, Plainfield
Saturday, July 20, 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.
Back to School Bash
Diversity Church – North Indy, 2415 E 72nd Street, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 20, 11 am-2 pm
Diversity Church- North Indy provides 500 backpacks filled with supplies to families in need.
Free backpacks filled with school supplies.
Back-to-School Block Party
Indianapolis Urban League, 759 Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 20, 10 am-1 pm
Join the party and enjoy free food, entertainment, and bounce houses. Kids can also get a complimentary hair-cut 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.
Perry Township SHARE Event
Southport Elementary School, 261 Anniston Drive, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 20, 10 am-1 pm
This free giveaway will have supply bags pre-packed with many of the necessary supplies, based on your child’s level (elementary, middle, high), as well as immunizations and assistance with school-related forms. Qualifying students will be emailed a registration form prior to the event.
Free school supplies.
Back to School Celebration 2024
Tarkington Park, 3967 N Illinois Street, Indianapolis
Sunday, July 21, 12-2 pm
Tamika Catchings hosts the 19th 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, bounce houses, and other giveaways.
Free backpacks filled with school supplies.
Mayor’s Latino Advisory Council’s Backpack Giveaway
Brookside Elementary School Gym, 3150 E. 10th Street, Indianapolis
Sunday, July 21, 1-3 pm
All local families are welcome at this free family event! Attendees who register in advance will be provided with backpacks filled with school supplies. You can also expect snacks, drinks, music, and more!
Free backpacks filled with school supplies and school uniforms.
H.O.P.S. CARES Community School Supply Giveaway
2110 W. 38th Street, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 27, 1-3 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.
Free backpacks filled with school supplies.
2024 Back to School Bash
Westminster Neighborhood Services, 2325 E New York Street, Indianapolis
Saturday, July 27, 10 am-2 pm
Families will be able to pick up uniforms, backpacks, and school supplies at this event. Free lunch and free haircuts will be available. 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.
The Resource Fair
AmVets, 2840 Lafayette Road, Indianapolis
Sunday, July 28, 12-6 pm
This event is one you won’t want to miss! The Resource Hub invites the whole community to receive free school supplies, haircuts, immunizations, eye exams, groceries, gift cards, and more at AmVets on Lafayette Road. Kids can play in the bounce houses, get their faces painted, and check out a fire truck from the Indianapolis Fire Department. A variety of other community organizations and resources will be available with information and services. Everything is free!
Free school supplies, haircuts, immunizations, eye exams, and more.
TCC’s Backpack Giveaway 2024
Various Locations
Sunday, July 28, 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.
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 their website, and there’s a link to their 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.
Events Not Confirmed for 2024
Back-to-School Community Resource Day
Barnes United Methodist Church, 900 W 30th Street, Indianapolis
Marion County families with children ages 4-17 can receive a book bag filled with supplies, hair cuts, 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.
9th Street Park Back to School Bash
Donner Park Shelter House, Sycamore and 22nd Street, Columbus
Pick up free backpacks filled with school supplies and take advantage of back-to-school photos available for $10 per student (reservations required). Free pizza will be served at 11 am. 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 photos, and free lunch.
Shalom Dr. Dannee Neal “Back To School” Health Fair 2022
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.
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.
18 thoughts on “Free Backpacks and School Supplies Near Me | 2024”
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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