Where to find free backpacks, school supplies in Greater New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Back to school shopping at the end of summer can be expensive and stressful. But what if you could get school supplies for free?

To help make the transition easier for you and your kids, WGNO has compiled a list of school supply drives and giveaways across Greater New Orleans.

Children’s Museum Back-To-School Bash🎒

The Children’s Museum of St. Tammany is hosting a free event on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pelican Park. There will be an Educational Expo as well as food vendors, free children’s haircuts and live performances by local businesses. According to a news release, the first 300 students will receive a free backpack with school supplies.

• 63350 Pelican Drive, Mandeville

Kids Fest Back to School Giveaway✏️

Victory Church is holding a free school supply giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. According to Victory Church’s Facebook post, supplies will be given out on a first come, first served basis. The fest will also include face painting, free snowballs, games and a live performance by Rayshone Emmanuel & Family.

• 5708 Airline Drive, Metairie

STEM New School Year’s Eve📖

STEM Library Lab is hosting a party for teachers on Thursday, July 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. According to a news release, educators at the event can shop for high-quality classroom supplies and teaching materials at no cost. There will also be free food and drinks, networking opportunities and access to a wide range of educational resources.

• 3011 N. Interstate-10 Service Road E, Metairie

Back 2 School with Vicious Ryders MC🛎️

New Orleans biker group Vicious Ryders MC is hosting a back-to-school event on Saturday, July 19. According to the event flyer, the event will distribute free backpacks and school supplies to children starting at 11 a.m.

• 15661 River Road, Hahnville

Back to School Fest🍎

The Youth Empowerment Project (Y.E.P) and Ochsner Children’s Hospital are hosting their annual backpack giveaways. According to the event flyer, the event will take place at the New Orleans East Opportunity Center on Saturday, July 26, from 9 to 11 a.m. It will also include vision and hearing screenings, free food, music and games.

• 12000 Hayne Blvd., New Orleans

Back-To-School Fair✏️

Mayor LaToya Cantrell and the City of New Orleans Neighborhood Engagement Office will host a Neighborhood Cares initiative at the Treme Rec Center on Friday, Aug.1. The event begins at 3 p.m. and will include free laptops, backpacks filled with school supplies, haircuts from local barbers and a community resource fair. According to a news release, there will also be live music and free food.

• 900 N. Villere St., New Orleans

Inspire the City📖

InspireNOLA is kicking off a new Drive-Thru Backpack and School Supply Giveaway initiative on Saturday, July 26. The event will take place at McDonough 35 Senior High School, beginning at 10 a.m. According to a news release, more than 50,000 items will be distributed at the event, from school supplies to accessories.

• 4000 Cadillac St., New Orleans

NOLA Back 2 School Fest🎒

On Saturday, July 26, there will be a drive-through school supplies distribution at the Xavier University Center from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. According to a news release, all pre-registered students will receive a free backpack filled with pocket folders, a notebook, pencils, a pencil case, a glue stick, scissors and other essential school supplies. Register for the drive on the Back 2 School Fest website.

• 4955 Drexel Drive, New Orleans

Back to School Boogaloo🍎

The third annual Back to School Boogaloo will be held Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Joe W. Brown Park Recreation Center. The event will include free school supplies, vaccinations, sports physicals, haircuts and more. There will also be family activities, live music, games and food. According to a news release, the event is free and open to the public.

• 5601 Read Blvd., New Orleans

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