Students across the Valley are preparing to return to school. Some schools have already gone back.
Buying back-to-school supplies can be challenging for families, so organizations and companies across Phoenix are hosting backpack and school supply giveaways to ensure that no student has to worry about being ready for the school year.
Some of the events will go beyond giving away supplies. TruWest Credit Union’s event, in partnership with Community Bridges Inc., will offer free haircuts, physicals, dental cleanings, and other services. It is scheduled for Saturday, July 26, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Interlake Center, 830 E. Second Ave. in Mesa.
Here are some of the back-to-school events planned for metro Phoenix. While many are planned for Saturday, July 19, others are scheduled for later in the month — scroll down for the upcoming events.
Where to get free school supplies Saturday, July 19, 2025
Faith Christian Center Community Backpack Giveaway
WHAT: Faith Christian Center will host a Community Backpack Giveaway event, where backpacks stuffed with school supplies will be given away. The event will also provide haircuts, food and grocery items.
WHEN: Saturday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Imagine Desert Middle School, 6800 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix
More information is available on Faith Christian Center’s website.
Roosevelt Elementary School District Back-to-School Health Fair
WHAT: Roosevelt Elementary School District is hosting a Back-to-School Health Fair event where the district will give away free backpacks, school supplies and bags of fresh vegetables. The event will also offer free immunizations, medical exams and access to health care resources.
WHEN: Saturday, July 19, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WHERE: Ed and Verma Pastor Elementary School, 21 W. Alta Vista Rd, Phoenix
More information is available on the district’s Facebook page.
StonePoint Community Church’s Spirit of Hope: Summer Community Event
WHAT: StonePoint Community Church will host Spirit of Hope: Summer Community Event, where the church will give away free school supplies and haircuts. The event will also serve as a job fair.
WHEN: Saturday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Stonepoint Community Church, 4445 W. Olive Ave., Suite #151, Glendale
City of Surprise Back 2 School Community Fair
WHAT: The city of Surprise will host a Back 2 School Community Fair event where it will give away free backpacks, school supplies, snacks and haircuts.
WHEN: Saturday, July 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: Surprise Senior Center, 5832 N. Hollyhock St., Surprise
More information is available on the city’s website.
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Teen Challenge of Arizona Back-to-School Bash
WHAT: Teen Challenge of Arizona will host a Back-to-School Bash, where it will give away more than 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to students.
WHEN: Saturday, July 19, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Phoenix Men’s Center, 1515 W. Grand Ave., Phoenix
More information is available on the organization’s website.
The Harding Firm and East Valley Family Center School Supply Giveaway
WHAT: The Harding Firm and East Valley Family Center will host a school supply giveaway event, where they will give away free backpacks and school supplies.
WHEN: Saturday, July 19, beginning at 8 a.m.
WHERE: Valley Gate Church, 1445 W. Southern Ave., Tempe
More information is available on The Harding Firm’s Facebook page.
Will there be future school supply events?
Back-to-school giveaway events are also scheduled for later in July.
Verizon/Round Room School Rocks Backpack Giveaway
WHAT: Verizon and Round Room will host a School Rocks Backpack Giveaway event, where participating locations will give away over $3 million worth of backpacks across the country.
WHEN: Sunday, July 27, during normal business hours.
WHERE: Here are the stores in the Valley that will be participating:
10001 W. Bell Road, Suite 154, Sun City
875 S. Main St., Cottonwood
4429 N. U.S. Highway 89, Flagstaff
1800 S. Milton Rd., Suite 400, Flagstaff
4650 N. U.S. Highway 89, Suite B26, Flagstaff
20211 N. 67th Ave., Suite B1, Glendale
401 N. Beeline Highway, Payson
1781 E. State Route 69, Suite 19, Prescott
150 E. Sheldon St., Suite D1113, Prescott
3292 Glassford Hill Road, Suite D-01, Prescott Valley
8980 E. Talking Stick Way, Suite D-6, Scottsdale
23143 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 105, Scottsdale
32415 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite B5-101, Scottsdale
ELMM Law Group’s Backpack to the Future: Get Your Child Ready for Success
WHAT: ELMM Law Group will host the Backpack to the Future: Get Your Child Ready for Success event, where the firm will give away free backpacks filled with school supplies.
WHEN: Monday, July 23, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Maurice C. Cash Elementary School, 5000 S. Sandomir Way, Phoenix
More information is available on ELMM Law Group’s website.
TruWest Credit Union and Community Bridges Inc. Back-to-School Giveaway
WHAT: TruWest Credit Union and Community Bridges Inc. will host a back-to-school giveaway, where they will distribute free laptops, backpacks and other school supplies.
WHEN: Saturday, July 26, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
WHERE: Interstake Center, 830 E. Second Ave., Mesa
Vineyard Church Back-to-School Giveaway
WHAT: Vineyard Church will host the Back-to-School Giveaway event, offering free backpacks, school supplies, and sports physicals. Students must be present to receive their supplies.
WHEN: Saturday, July 26, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Vineyard Church North Phoenix, 6250 W. Peoria Ave., Glendale
More information is available on the church’s website.
East Valley Community Back-to-School Clothing Swap
WHAT: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will host the East Valley Community Back-to-School Clothing Swap, where families can donate clothes the day before and “shop” from those donations on Saturday, July 26. Families do not need to make a donation to participate.
WHEN: Saturday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WHERE: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 454 N. Crismon Road, Mesa
More information is available on the church’s website.
Herozona Foundation’s Phoenix Tools 4 School
WHAT: The Herozona Foundation will host the Phoenix Tools 4 School drive-through event, where the group will distribute book bags and other school supplies. Families must be present in a vehicle to participate.
WHEN: Saturday, July 27, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
WHERE: American Legion Post 65, 1624 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix
More information is available on the foundation’s website.
First Institutional Baptist Church Back-to-School Bash
WHAT: First Institutional Baptist Church will host a Back-to-School Bash where it will give away free backpacks, school supplies, shoes and haircuts.
WHEN: Sunday, July 27, beginning at 12 p.m.
WHERE: First Institutional Baptist Church, 1141 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix
More information is available on the church’s website.
Lerner and Rowe Backpack Giveaway
WHAT: Lerner and Rowe will host a backpack giveaway event, where the firm will distribute free backpacks filled with school supplies.
WHEN: Monday, July 28, beginning at 4 p.m.
WHERE: Grand Canyon University, 2600 W. Camelback Road, Building 66, Phoenix
More information is available on the firm’s website.
Coverage of education solutions on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is partially supported by a grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How to get free school supplies before summer in Arizona