The new school year is just around the corner, and school supplies are as expensive as ever. According to the National Retail Federation, which conducts yearly studies on back-to-school shopping costs, families with children in elementary through high school plan are projected to spend an average of $890.07 on school supplies alone this year.
For parents looking to offset the cost of school supplies, several organizations are hosting events to give away necessary materials to families in need. These events range all over Southwest Florida, and are open to all.
- Back to School Drive, hosted by Kingdom Group.
- When: Friday, July 28th, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
- Where: 2503 Del Prado Blvd S Suite 505 Cape Coral, Fl 33909.
- What’s On Offer: Kingdom Group Realty is giving away free school supplies, including backpacks, to “help students start the year prepared and confident.” This event requires an RSVP.
- For more information: To participate in the event, follow the link provided: https://linktr.ee/yisbelberarealtor.
- Heights Center School Supply Outreach
- When: Saturday, July 29th, from 9 AM – noon.
- Where: Heights Center, located at 15570 Hagie Drive, Fort Myers, 33908
- What’s On Offer: The Heights Center with partner agencies, businesses, philanthropic organizations, and volunteers will provide backpacks and school supplies to 500 low-income children living in the Harlem Heights neighborhood.
- For more information: Visit https://heaightfoundation.org The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a grassroots organization that works to build strong, self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. Fo
- The 24th Annual BIG Backpack Event, hosted by the Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida.
- When: Sunday, July 30, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
- Where: The Fort Myers Skatium - 2250 Broadway, Fort Myers, FL 33901.
- What’s On Offer: For the 24th year in a row, the Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida will be giving out new backpacks filled with pencils, pens, paper, crayons, folders and other essential back-to-school items along with groceries to the first 2,000 students ages 5 to 12 as they drive-thru curbside with their families.
- Looking to Help Out? The Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida is looking for additional volunteers to help pack backpacks and hand them out. Volunteers are asked to sign up online at www.multicultural-centre.org.
- For more information: Visit http://www.multicultural-centre.org./Backpackevent.html.
- Back-to-School Event, hosted by Florida Blue.
- When: Saturday, August 5th, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
- Where: 8041 Plaza del Lago Drive Estero, FL 33928.
- What’s On Offer: Florida Blue is hosting events across the state to give away school supplies and inform families about resources and perks the company offers. There’s a limit of 3 free backpacks per household.
- For more information: Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/florida-blue-back-to-school-event-tickets-676473038067.
- Florida Penguin's Back to School Bash Series, hosted by Florida Penguin Productions.
- When: Saturday, August 5th, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
- Where: The Mall at University Town Center 140 University Town Center Dr Sarasota, FL 34243.
- What’s On Offer: Florida Penguin Productions is giving away over 250 backpacks and thousands of school supplies in an unconventional manner- an interactive scavenger hunt. Also at the event will be community resources from after school programs and tutors to healthcare providers like pediatricians and optometrists – as well as several sports mascots.
- For more information: To register for the event, follow the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/florida-penguins-back-to-school-bash-series-sarasota-tickets-652969518407?aff=erellivmlt.
- Summer Luau Back-to-School Bash, hosted by Gulf Coast Town Center.
- When: Saturday, August 5th, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
- Where: 9903 Gulf Coast Main Street, Gulf Coast Town Center.
- What’s On Offer: Gulf Coast Town Center, in conjunction with Eva’s Closet and Foundation, is hosting a school supplies donation drive for teachers. Also at the event will be summer-themed games and prizes, a meet and greet with Island Princess Characters, face painting, a luau photo booth, and a DJ.
- For more information: Visit https://www.gulfcoasttowncenter.com/event/back-to-school-summer-luau-bash-and-school-supply-drive/.
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