Overwhelmed by annual back-to-school costs? Here are free supply giveaway events in LA you need to know about

All students in school need supplies — pencils, notebooks, backpacks, calculators, and even electronics like headphones and iPads. Every year, the infamous school supply list comprises materials that students might need to prepare for the start of the school year. For many students, each class may require different materials, making the costs even greater.

But how do families pay for these things and how much money is spent on making sure that kids' needs are met when it comes to the upcoming school year? For many, specifically low-income families, the costs of these supplies can have a significant financial impact on the pockets of parents and guardians throughout the United States and especially in cities like Los Angeles, one of the most expensive in the world.

The National Retail Federation has been conducting its annual back-to-school and back-to-college surveys since 2003 to see how families in the U.S. will shop for items for the next school year. In 2024, families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $874.68 on clothing, shoes, electronics and school supplies, according to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights and Analytics' annual survey.

Similar to the past year, the survey concluded that the most popular destinations for back-to-school shopping are online (57%), department stores (50%), discount stores (47%), clothing stores (42%) and electronics stores (23%).

Another back-to-school survey conducted by WalletHub surveyed over 200 parents and concluded some of the same findings. When it comes to educational costs, 86% of parents said they thought the cost of education was out of control.

According to WalletHub, 33% of parents said they use coupons to save money on back-to-school shopping, making it the most popular saving method. This is followed by another saving method, which was used by 29% of parents when they applied for a credit card.

To alleviate some of the annual costs of back-to-school expenses, community and city organizations have put together supply drives and free back-to-school events throughout L.A. Here are some of the events happening this upcoming weekend, August 10–11 and the following weekend, August 17–18.

Supply giveaways:

Aug. 10: The Back to School Fair at Harbor Community Health Centers

There will be free backpacks and school supplies, featuring entertainment, games, and free goodies from community nonprofits. Children must be accompanied by an adult, who must be present to receive a backpack. Limit to one per person.

Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: Harbor Community Health Centers, 425 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro, CA. 90731. For more information, call (310) 547-0202.

()

Aug. 10: Happy Back to School at Huntington Park

Get ready for back to school with services, resources, and activities for the whole family. They will have free backpacks and school supplies, health screenings, haircuts, raffles, food distribution, kids activities and more. A child must be present to receive a backpack and school supplies. One backpack and school supplies per child, while supplies last. Haircuts will be limited to the first 200 attendees, while supplies last. Children must be accompanied by a family member or legal guardian if they are under 18 years old.

Time: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: Salt Lake Park. 3401 East Florence Ave., Huntington Park, CA 90255. Free Admission.

()

Aug.10: DIG LIFE's 4th Annual Back 2 School Back Pack Giveaway and Bike Raffle

This upcoming Saturday, Pass the Baton Clothing, the Port of Long Beach, Long Beach’s council member Mary Zendejas (CD1), Pedal Movement, Molina Health Care and the nonprofit organization DIGLIFE will be joining forces to host their annual back-to-school giveaway and free haircuts. The event will also feature a free bike raffle and a bike repair session. For this event, students and youth must be present to receive any of these resources.

Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Cesar Chavez Park in Long Beach. For more information, you can email events@dreamzintogoals.org

()

Aug. 10, 2024: “Back to School, Backpack Giveaway Block Party”

South Los Angeles will also be providing families and students with school resources. The community organization, Brother Taking Responsibility of Our Community (B.T.R.O.C.), will be hosting a free backpack giveaway, where students and their families can enjoy free hotdogs, hamburgers, popcorn and drinks. Organizers encourage students to bring their latest report card for a chance to win awards given to students with the best and highest grade point average (GPA) at all grade levels.

Location: The corner of San Pedro Street and 62nd Street in South L.A.

For additional information, you can visit https://btroc.org/

()

Aug. 16, 2024: Avalon Gardens, Back to School Giveaway

SBCC Thrive L.A., a social change agency, along with First Five L.A., a county organization that focuses on the importance of the early years of childhood, will be hosting their back-to-school giveaway in South L.A.

Time: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Location: The Avalon Gardens Housing Projects, 701 E 88th Pl., Los Angeles

()

August 17: Community Back To School Health and Fun Fair Fest

The organizations Pools of Hope and College Square are organizing a community event featuring free backpacks, food, asthma screenings, raffles, and even free cell phones for children 5–17 years of age. The event is a free event and supplies will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Apart from providing backpacks, groceries, free dental kits and asthma screenings, kids will also be able to enjoy free swimming in the location’s pool.

Location: The California Aquatic Therapy and Wellness Center, Inc. in Long Beach

For additional information, call: (310) 480 - 2248 or (562) 458-5638

()

Aug. 17: 19th Annual Back 2 School Health + Resource Fair

California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), will host the 19th annual back-to-school health and resources fair. The event will cater to students with autism and special needs, but everyone else is welcome to attend and take advantage of the supplies and resources. The event, put together by the Special Needs Network, will feature mental health screenings, activities, games, food and backpack giveaways for over 1,000 kids. Apart from receiving free school supplies, children will enjoy a free petting zoo, as well as jumpers and bounce houses.

Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

()

This story was produced by CALÓ News, a news organization covering Latino/a/x communities.