While Long Beach’s weather still feels like summer, Long Beach Unified School District students and families are preparing to return to school at the end of this month.

Several local nonprofits, city leaders and community organizations are hosting back-to-school events and backpack giveaways to ensure every student is prepared for the new school year. Long Beach community members can attend these events or make donations to support local students and families.

Here are seven back-to-school events happening across Long Beach:

Órale Back-to-School Drive

Long Beach’s immigrant rights organization, Órale, has been collecting supplies for its back-to-school drive. The last day it will accept donations to support local immigrant families whose children are getting ready to go back to school is Thursday, Aug. 13. The nonprofit is asking community members to donate backpacks with at least three of the following school supplies: binders, pencils, black or blue pens, highlighters, erasers, folders, markers, mini staplers, glue sticks, school scissors and college-ruled notebooks. All items must be in new condition.

To make a donation, people can drop off the backpacks at two locations: Confidential Coffee, 137 W. Sixth St., or Recreational Coffee, 237 Long Beach Blvd. For questions about the backpack donations, contact sharay@orale.org.

District 8 Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway

Eighth District Councilmember Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, in partnership with Crossroads Church Long Beach, will host the second annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Scherer Park, 4600 Long Beach Blvd. The event will take place by the park’s tennis courts, organizers said. This year’s event will include free food, backpacks filled with school supplies and children’s haircuts. There will also be crafts and games, as well as raffles throughout the day.

“When we invest in our students, we invest in the future of our community,” Thrash-Ntuk wrote on social media. “Every backpack, every haircut, every resource shared is a way of saying – you are prepared, you are supported, and you are ready to shine this school year.”

Pools of Hope Annual Back-to-School Event

Pools of Hope, a local nonprofit, will host its annual back-to-school event from 11  a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at 6801 Long Beach Blvd. The event helps local families in North Long Beach prepare for the school year with confidence and care, organizers said. Students and their families will receive backpacks, school supplies, free food and groceries, and access to local community resources – such as asthma education. Youth ages 5 to 17 can also enjoy free swim access, providing both support and summer fun before school starts. The nonprofit expects to support about 500 students with backpacks and school supplies.

Willmore City Community Association Back-to-School Event

The Willmore City Community Association invites the Long Beach community to a fun-filled event for the whole family from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at the Bembridge House, 953 N. Park Circle, according to its website. The association will give away 200 backpacks filled with school supplies, 200 pairs of new shoes, and 200 insulated water bottles for students – while supplies last. There will also be ice cream, free children’s haircuts, a story time with the Long Beach Public Library, and live music by DJ Marlon. Families will have access to resources, community services and activities for all ages.

Local Hearts Foundation Back-to-School Event

The nonprofit Local Hearts Foundation will host a back-to-school event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at MacArthur Park, 1321 E. Anaheim St., according to its website. The event will not only help support students with what they need to go back to school, but also provide resources for families as well. There will be backpacks and school supplies for students, socks, toys from Fighters of the World, makeup provided by LA Strong for teens and mothers, and haircuts provided by Letty’s Barbering College.

If community members are interested in supporting the event, visit localheartsfoundation.org to sign up to become a volunteer or show up at 8 a.m. on the day of the event, organizers said.

Christian Outreach in Action Back-to-School Drive

Christian Outreach in Action is accepting donations throughout August for its back-to-school drive. The nonprofit is collecting backpacks, notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, colored pencils, glue sticks, scissors, highlighters, erasers and more for local students. Community members interested in supporting the drive can shop on its Amazon wishlist, donate online, or drop off donation items at 515 E. Third St.

“Every donation helps a local student walk into class ready to learn,” organizers said on social media. “Thank you for making a difference.”

Long Beach Rescue Mission Backpack Drive

The Long Beach Rescue Mission is hosting its annual back-to-school backpack drive to support local students. Rather than a public distribution event, the nonprofit will be collecting and filling 735 backpacks with essential school supplies for students at Washington Middle School and other children in the community. Donations are still being accepted at the Rescue Mission, 1335 Pacific Ave., or through their Amazon wishlist. For questions about the backpack drive or other opportunities to get involved with the Long Beach Rescue Mission, visit lbrm.org or contact the volunteer coordinator, Noelle, at nmarshall@lbrm.org.