The summer is flying by and it’s already time to think about equipping kids with school supplies. This year, the financial strain is real: Rising prices can make it difficult for parents to provide kids with their back-to-school needs.

We gathered resources for those experiencing tight budgets to get help with school supplies, backpacks and even clothing. We also have details below on ways you can offer assistance to others.

The need is critical: Kids equipped with proper learning tools are better able to participate in class and can achieve more academically. And those who are prepared with supplies are more likely to finish homework assignments and participate in class discussions.

Success comes from the sense of confidence and positive self-esteem that develops when kids are prepared and ready to excel.

All the organizations mentioned below accept help through Amazon Wish Lists and they offer volunteer opportunities, too.


Photo by Sole Gomez via Pexels.

1. Pittsburgh Public Schools

Pittsburgh Public Schools kids head back to school on Aug. 24, with kindergarteners getting their start on Aug. 27. But before that happens, thousands of students will gather for #PittsburghForPPS. Now in its 13th year, the back-to-school distribution of school supplies will ramp up the excitement of a new school year. The event takes place on Aug. 17 in the Gold Lot 1A at Acrisure Stadium. (We haven’t seen specific times announced yet, though the district’s website says it’s an “all day” event. Many families attend, so it can help to go early.) Kids will receive school bags filled with supplies and food, and they can meet up with friends they missed over the summer and connect with teachers. No registration is required. 

Another way to celebrate the new school year is participating in the Pittsburgh Public Schools 5K + Wellness event on Aug. 29. The race takes place at Obama Academy of International Studies. Registration is $40 with all proceeds going to Bigger Than Sports, a non-profit that supports PPS student athletes.

2. Backpack Bonanza

Genesis Medical Associates holds its third-annual Backpack Bonanza beginning at 10 a.m. Aug. 8 in its West View office, 1020 Center Ave.  The back-to-school party includes food donated by Center Slice. Registration is encouraged to ensure there will be enough backpacks. Walk-ins are welcome, but bags will be handed out in a first-come, first-served basis. Donations will be accepted through Aug. 7 and are accepted at the West View and McCandless offices as well as at local business partners.

3. Pack-A-Sack

Dragon Slayers Guild is hosting a Pack-A-Sack event from 2-5 p.m. Aug 10 at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh—Brookline. Kids will receive a school supply and have the opportunity to learn more about the Dragon Slayers Guild. Registration is preferred to guarantee enough supplies, but walk-ins are welcome.

4. Backpack Block Party

Source Church Pittsburgh’s annual Backpack Block Party will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 5 in West Mifflin. School supplies and 300 new backpacks will be provided to kids. The community festival includes games, crafts, food and a bounce house for more family fun. The fun is open for all, though registration for backpacks is required due to limited supplies.


Photo by Atlantic Ambience via Pexels.

5. North Hills Community Outreach

North Hills Community Outreach helps families in the northern suburbs work through tough times, which include the back-to-school crunch. Last year, 889 kids received school supplies through the effort. The organization has spent the summer collecting and distributing new backpacks, notebooks, colored pencils, scissors, pencil boxes and other school supplies.

You can drop off school supply donations by Aug. 10 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at any of the three NHCO offices located in Allison Park, Greenstone United Methodist Church or Millvale Community Center. The Allison Park office is also open from 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays.

To sign up to receive supplies, contact Vicki Burstynowicz by phone at 412-487-6316 (choose option 1, then extension 3143) or by email at vdburst@nhco.org.

School supplies will be given out by appointment:

Next up at NHCO: the Kid’s Coat Shop, running Sept. 1-Oct. 16. The organization will be collecting and handing out new winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves for kids from infants to 18-year-olds. Registration is required.


Photo by Atlantic Ambience via Pexels.

6. Bazzy & Bubba’s Backpack Brigade

Richard Bazzy and the Bubba Show from 100.7-FM Star radio will host the Bazzy & Bubba’s Backpack Brigade, an annual community drive for school supplies. The Brigade teams up with The Education Partnership and Shults Ford in the effort. If you’d like to help, your kids can collect school supplies, plus new or gently used backpacks, to drop off at Shults Ford in Wexford from 6 a.m.-5 p.m. on Aug. 14. The team from Star 100.7 will be onsite broadcasting live throughout the day. So make sure to say “hi!” when you drop off your donation. The event includes pizza, coffee and ice cream, provided by Richard Bazzy.

7. Orchard Hills Church Eleos Back-To-School Drive

Orchard Hill Church is partnering with local ministries to support families in need with backpacks and school supplies. Donations can be delivered to individual church campuses through Aug. 9.


Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva via Pexels.

8. South Hills Interfaith Movement

The caring folks at South Hills Interfaith Movement are preparing to help kids with school supplies in Pittsburgh. This year, SHIM will provide more than 1,500 kids with the supplies they need to succeed. The organization has been providing food, clothing and services to people in need throughout the South Hills for more than 50 years. The SHIM team has been collecting school supplies all summer long and will hold three back-to-school supply giveaways for families in Baldwin-Whitehall, Bethel Park, Keystone Oaks, Mt. Lebanon, South Park and Upper St. Clair school districts this month (details below). If you’d like to help, you can donate here.

There is no registration necessary. The walk-up distribution dates are:

9. The Education Partnership

It’s all about the basics at The Education Partnership, which provides essential classroom items for kids and teachers in lower-income districts throughout the seven-county region of Southwestern Pennsylvania. The current impact supports 294 schools and Head Start programs reaching more than 81,000 students and 12,000 teachers.

A $25 donation will equip a student with supplies for the entire school year. You can collect, buy and donate school supplies anytime during the year. You’re welcome to drop off donations from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays at The Education Partnership, 281 Corliss St., Pittsburgh, PA 15220.

The Education Partnership also welcomes volunteers at their headquarters. Teens who are looking to log volunteer hours can arrange for Saturday hours during the school year.

10. Elizabeth Back-To-School Festival

The Elizabeth Borough Volunteer Bingo Hall is the site of the Back-To-School Festival. Kids with an accompanying adult will receive school supplies and enjoy an afternoon of fun activities, including face painting and balloons. More than 100 school supply packets have been prepared, with 100 backpacks collected by Elizabeth Guardian Angels. The event runs from 2-5 p.m. Aug. 10.


Photo courtesy of the National Council of Jewish Women Pittsburgh.

11. Council of Jewish Women Pittsburgh

The National Council of Jewish Women Pittsburgh has advocated for families for over 125 years. The council partners with about 22 community agencies to identify kids with needs. Its Free Kids Clothing and Thriftique Voucher Program helps throughout the year, as the seasons and family circumstances change. The effort helps underserved kids start school on an equal footing with their peers by “shopping” for new supplies and clothing at no cost. The experience allows kids in grades K-5 to begin the school year on a positive note. So far, the program has distributed more than 11,000 outfits and over $13,000 in vouchers, and they’d be glad to have your donations this year.

12. Homeless Children’s Education Fund

Staff members and volunteers at the Homeless Children’s Education Fund collect and fill new backpacks with age-appropriate school supplies. They travel by school bus to deliver the goods to kids through partner organizations and agencies that focus on homeless housing. Want to help? Contact the HCEF via email at info@homelessfund.org for donation drop-off details.

13. Foster Love Project

Foster Love Project supports foster kids and their caregivers. One of the organization’s programs is its annual Back2School distribution. The goal is to provide 250 foster kids with new, brand-name sneakers, sweatshirts and a backpack of their choice stuffed with goodies as they begin the school year. All 100% of donations goes to directly support this effort. Foster Love also continues its work year-round and is glad to accept donations at any time.