The latest list: Here’s where you can find free back-to-school supplies in Delaware

It’s just about that time again, the time to think about heading back to school.

From pens, pencils and notebooks, to rulers, erasers and that fancy calculator — returning to the classroom comes with a familiar list of needs for your students. So, it’s also the time to get out for any items you couldn’t fish out from drawers or recover in old backpacks.

Families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $874.68 on clothing, shoes, electronics and school supplies, as reported by USA TODAY. That’s $15 less than last year’s record, $890.07, but is the second-highest amount in the history of National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics’ annual survey.

Doors are opening for many districts the last week in August or the first in September.

“Back-to-school should be a time of excitement and anticipation, but for many families in Delaware, it is a period of financial stress and worry,” writes United Way of Delaware ahead of this 2024-25 school year.

For families worried about this bottom line, we looked to map out some organizations and opportunities for free supplies in Delaware. This list will be updated.

[Note: This list will be updated periodically. Come back to Delaware Online/The News Journal for more back-to-school resource events. Have another school supply drive or event families should know about? Please share it with us: kepowers@gannett.com]

‘Largest backpack distribution,’ school supply drive coming for Delaware Chase Center – Aug. 2

“Cradles to Crayons” will be hosting its Backpack-A-Thon to provide new school supplies to students in Delaware.

That’s from 9 to 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 2, in Wilmington’s Chase Center on the Riverfront. Doors at 815 Justison St. open at 8 a.m.

More than 200 corporate volunteers will join the Philadelphia organization to fill “thousands of backpacks” with new school supplies for Delaware children living with low household income or navigating housing insecurity, according to a press release from organizers.

“It is part of a larger effort to serve more than 72,000 children in the Tri-State area with new backpacks and school supplies ahead of the new school year,” the organization wrote. “C2C will also provide clothing and hygiene essentials to help students feel ready to learn from head to toe.”

Are schools asking too much Many parents say yes, as back-to-school shopping begins

‘Family Resource Academy and Resource Fair’ gets set in Seaford – Aug. 3

Free resource tables, free health screenings, free food, bounce houses, live music: The agenda for this one-day family event in Seaford is packed.

A “Family Resource Academy and Resource Fair” is set for 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, at Seaford High. That’s at 399 N. Market St.

Different programs line the event schedule. It will pull together guest speakers from the University of Delaware, the ACLU of Delaware, Rodel Foundation, Children and Families First and many more. This all comes alongside educational workshops, advocacy development training and even a vet clinic for cats and dogs.

Preregistration online is encouraged, and anyone interested in more information can call 302-551-9663.

‘School Supply Bazaar,’ backpack giveaway outside Wilmington – Aug. 10

The One Step At A Time Foundation, New Castle PAL and J.P. Morgan Chase are joining forces to host a community day, filled with bookbags, activities and food.

The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, inside the parking lot of the Garfield Park PAL. That’s the Police Athletic League of Delaware location at 26 Karlyn Drive, between New Castle and Wilmington.

A guardian must be present to reach a backpack, according to organizers, as the “School Supply Bazaar” looks to set students up for the next year. This will join games, food vendors and more.

Wilmington shelter to host backpack and supply giveaway – Aug. 10

Sunday Breakfast Mission is preparing to giveaway free backpacks “stuffed” with school supplies this month.

The free family event starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, likely outside at the 110 N. Poplar St. location.

While coming to Sunday Breakfast Mission usually starts with shelter and a meal for men struggling with addiction or housing instability — the outfit will again turn to school supplies to support young students, too. During the “Back to School Rally,” students and guardians must be present for the giveaway, though no preregistration is required.

“Your child doesn’t want to miss a chance to start the school year off right, with a backpack stuffed full of supplies and a message of hope!” the mission wrote.

Sneaker giveaway for 100 students at William Penn High – Aug. 10

Colonial School District’s largest back-to-school event will come at William Penn High School.

Some 100 students among those registered will get free shoes, in the third-annual sneaker giveaway with district partner Kool Kolored Kid Generation. That registration had already neared 300 by July 31. The first 100 students who walk in will also get free backpacks from Community Cares of Delaware, as well as some “surprise items” not determined.

The event looks to support students from Christina, Brandywine, Colonial and Red Clay school districts in grades 6 to 12. It will bring together vendors, pre-event pep rallies, live music, cheerleaders, games, giveaways, vendors — and even guest celebrity speakers from Delaware, according to the event page.

The entire event runs from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.. And that’s from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. for the sneaker giveaway and all other giveaways from 1:30 to 2:30 on Saturday, Aug. 10.

“Let’s create a ripple effect of positivity and possibility together!” Colonial organizers wrote online.

‘1,000 Bookbags for 1,000 Delaware Students’ United Way giveaways in Dover and Wilmington – Aug. 10, 17

The United Way of Delaware is eyeing “1,000 Bookbags for 1,000 Delaware Students” within its annual Bookbag Giveaway and Resource Fair. The giveaways are spread between two events.

• 12 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10 Dover Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17Wilmington Public Library, 10 E 10th St.

“Without these critical items, our children’s success in the classroom and confidence are in jeopardy,” the organization writes on the event webpage. “United Way of Delaware’s 4th Annual Bookbag Giveaway and Resource Fair helps to lift this burden for local families by providing bookbags and essential school supplies for students.”

Organizers are also looking for online donations and volunteers to help fuel the events.

Haircuts, BBQ and a new school year in New Castle – Aug. 22

Castle Hills Elementary will host a “Back to School Night BBQ” later this month.

That’s from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 22, on the elementary school grounds at 502 Moores Lane.

Not only will it have free food and music for the local community, but free haircuts are also likely to be available thanks to cosmetology students from the Paul Mitchell the School. According to Colonial School District, it tends to be well attended.

Free ‘Back To School Movie Night’ at New Castle Community Center – Aug. 24

New Castle Community Center is hosting a “fun-filled Back-to-School Movie Night and Book Bag Giveaway” to bring families together ahead of the school year.

That’s from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, outside of the New Castle County Community Center. Registration online is encouraged.

The event aims to deliver more than the feature film — with giveaways of backpacks filled with school supplies, food stalls, games and even free haircuts from local barbers and hairstylists. Organizers cautioned to arrive early with your blankets and lawn chairs, to “settle in for an evening of cinematic fun” at dusk.

This list will be updated periodically. Come back to Delaware Online/The News Journal for more back-to-school resource events. Have another school supply drive or event families should know about? Please share it with us: kepowers@gannett.com