Upcoming Backpack & School Supplies Giveaways in NYC

New York City public school students will head back to class on Thursday, Sept. 4. For many families across the five boroughs, that means stocking up on a fresh batch of school supplies—the costs of which can add up. 

New York City public school students will head back to class on Thursday, Sept. 4. For many families across the five boroughs, that means stocking up on a fresh batch of school supplies—the costs of which can add up. 

According to a 2022 survey conducted by Junior Achievement USA, a nonprofit that advocates for the economic advancement of young people, 33 percent of the teens it surveyed across the country expressed insecurity over the cost of school supplies. This can lead to a stressful period as families try to get everything that is required on their child’s school supply list, in addition to uniforms, new clothes, sneakers, shoes and more.

Luckily, many New York City elected officials and local organizations host giveaways to help ease some of that burden.

“Unfortunately a lot of households already have limited resources and now with [all these] cuts it’s going to be a lot harder for people,” said Lance Sagesse, a leader with the Pentecostal Church of God in Flatbush, Brooklyn, which is organizing one such event on Aug. 23, referring to federal cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and other safety net programs. “So whatever we can do to relieve the burden from parents as well as students, that’s going to be our goal.” 

City Limits compiled this list of back to school supplies and backpack giveaways happening in the coming weeks. Heads up: most events are first-come, first-serve and have limited inventory available, and require the child or children be present.

Know one we missed? Email [email protected].

For residents in Queens City Council District 22: City Councilmember Tiffany Cabán will host the following backpack distribution events, co-hosted by Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, Big Reuse, the Hispanic Federation, the NYC District Council of Carpenters, and other partners. Backpacks will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis, one per child (the child must be present):  

• Wednesday, Aug. 20: 4 to 6 p.m. Gorman Playground, 25th Avenue between 84th & 85th Streets in Queens
• Saturday, Aug. 23: 1 to 4 p.m. at NYCHA’s Astoria Houses, 4-05 Astoria Blvd., Queens

New York Restoration Project will hold several backpack and school supply giveaways throughout the month of August at NYRP gardens. Learn more and register at nyrp.org/backpacks:

• Friday, Aug. 22: Essex Street Community Garden (Cypress Hills, Brooklyn) featuring a cooking demo with chef Genny Mack
• Saturday, Aug.  23: McLeod’s Community Garden (Brownsville, Brooklyn) & Los Amigos Community Garden(East Harlem, Manhattan)
• Friday, Aug.  29: Bed-Stuy Community Garden (Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn) in partnership with Councilmember Chi Ossé
• Saturday, Aug, 30: Target Bronx Community Garden (Highbridge, The Bronx) featuring a cooking demo with chef Brandy Cochrane & Creston Avenue Playground (Fordham, The Bronx)
• Saturday, Aug. 30: Creston Avenue Playground (Fordham, The Bronx)
• Sunday, Aug. 31: Eastchester Road Community Garden (Eastchester, The Bronx) in partnership with Councilmember Kevin C. Riley

NYC Health and Hospitals:

• Jacobi Back To School Health Fest: Friday, Aug. 22, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1400 Pelham Parkway South, Bronx, NY 10461, Pedestrian Mall
• Elmhurst Summer Yoga: Friday, Aug. 22,  12 to 1 p.m. at 79-01 Broadway, 4th Floor Room D4-17A, Elmhurst, NY 11373
• Lincoln back to school health fest: Wednesday, Aug. 27 (Rain Date: Thursday, Aug. 28),  11a.m. to 2 p.m. at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, 234 E. 149th St, Bronx, NY 14051, Great Lawn
• NYC Health and Hospitals North Central Bronx Back to school health fest: Friday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 3424 Kossuth Ave., Bronx, NY 10467 (Kossuth Avenue between 208th and 210th streets)
• NYC Health and Hospitals Elmhurst Mental Health and Wellness Block Party: Saturday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 41st Avenue and 80th Street, Elmhurst, Queens

Queens Library events:

• Thursday, Aug 21, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the East Elmhurst Library, 95-06 Astoria Boulevard, East Elmhurst, NY 11369. More here.
• Tuesday, Aug. 26, 12 to 3 p.m. at the Elmhurst Library, 86-07 Broadway, Elmhurst, NY 11373. More here.
• Thursday, Aug. 28, 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the South Hollis Library, 204-01 Hollis Avenue, South Hollis, NY 11412. More here.

Pentecostal Church of God will be hosting a back to school giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 23 between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2310 Cortelyou Road, Brooklyn, NY 11226

Backpack Giveaway presented by New York City Councilmember Robert F. Holden: Wednesday, Aug, 20, 3 to 5 p.m. (while supplies last) at 58-38 69th St., Maspeth, NY 11378. Participants must reside in the 30th City Council district and have their children present with them. Event is hosted collaboration with Broadway Stages, Greater Ridgewood Youth Council, Madison Square Garden and Maspeth Town Hall.

Gateway Center Back To School Fest: Saturday, Aug. 23, 1 to -3:30 p.m. at Gateway Center Mall located at 579 Gateway Drive, Brooklyn, NY 11239. Live DJ, face painting, photo booth, games and more.

State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez Backpack Giveaway: Saturday, Aug. 23, 12 to 4 p.m. at 3025 Cross Bronx N. Service Rd., Bronx, NY 10465. Supplies are limited.

EmblemHealth and Neighborhood Care’s special back-to-school event and giveaway: Aug. 28, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at 88-31 55th Avenue, Elmhurst, NY 11373

Gerritsen Beach Library: Aug. 28 between 4 to 7 p.m. at 2808 Gerritsen Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11229. Organized by City Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse. One backpack per child. First come, first served. For more information, call 718-241-9330.

Back to School Homecoming 2025: Saturday, Sept. 6, 10  a.m. to 3 p.m. at PS/ MS 206 Schoolyard, 508 East 120th St., New York, NY 10035. Family fun, arts and crafts, face painting, music, games, giveaways, backpacks, school supplies, food, health care information 

University Settlement and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine’s backpack giveaway: Sept. 7, 1 to 3 p.m,184 Eldridge St., New York, NY

Midwood Block Association:  Families are invited to enjoy a fun-filled day with free school supplies for students, music, food, games, raffles, and more: Sept. 13, 2 to 5 p.m., located at 200 Midwood St., Brooklyn, NY 11225.