Those summer vacations — where do they even go, you know?

I’m not in school anymore and July is still going by too fast. But students have a lot of fun and learning to look forward to this year, so to make the transition a little easier, here’s some free ways to help with back-to-school time.

Freebies

ATAX will give out school supplies and backpacks while they last 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 2 at 12 N. Eighth St. in Allentown. A child must be present.

Volunteers of America Pennsylvania will distribute school supplies to children accompanied by an adult while supplies last during the third annual “Back to School Bash” 3-5 p.m. Aug. 6 at Laubach Park, 1600 Lehigh Ave. in Salisbury Township.

The Lehigh Conference of Churches will host the third annual “Back to School Bash” 1-3 p.m. Aug. 7 at 457 W. Allen St. in Allentown, hosting free school supplies and library books from Calvary Moravian Church. Students must be present to receive supplies.

Lehigh Valley Church of Christ will provide free backpacks while supplies last 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 8 at 3400 Brodhead Road in Bethlehem Township. A child must be present.

Wesley Church will hold the 14th annual “We Got Your Back” event to give free backpacks with school supplies while they last 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 8 at 2540 Center St. in Bethlehem.

Puertorrican Culture Preservation will give out backpacks with school supplies while they last noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 8 at Buck Boyle Park in Allentown.

Exclusive Cutz and Exclusive Hair Studio will offer free haircuts and school supplies to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Exclusive Cutz will hold its event 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 9 at 18 W. Broad St. in Bethlehem, while Exclusive Hair Studio will hold it 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 16 at 1529 Hanover Ave. in Allentown.

Hope Center will give out school supplies noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 15 at 429 E. Broad St. in Bethlehem.

Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley will offer free book bags with supplies for Northampton County residents 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 17 at 520 E. Fourth St. in Bethlehem. Adults must be present with a child.

Allentown Rotary Club will hand out backpacks with school supplies 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 20 in the parking lot behind the Salvation Army location at 144 N. Eighth St. in Allentown.

Promotions

American Eagle will offer 15% discounts every Thursday to students with a student ID at Promenade Saucon Valley in Upper Saucon Township.

Where to donate

New Tripoli Bank is collecting donations for school supplies, new clothing and hygiene products for several local school districts through Aug. 5 at 6748 Madison St. in Lynn Township.

Change on Hamilton is accepting donations for school supplies through Aug. 12 at 927 Hamilton St. in Allentown. A giveaway will occur 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 14.

Faith Presbyterian Church has an online wish list for its “Teachers’ Closet” at 3002 N. Second St. in Emmaus, where teachers for kindergarten through 12th grade can get free supplies. A shopping event will occur Aug. 19.

Lehigh Valley Mall will host a crafts and book drive event noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 15 in Whitehall Township, collecting books for a new “Little Free Library” to be installed in the outdoor area.

Have an event to add? Email us at news@mcall.com.