Back to School Help: Free Supplies and Clothing Programs

Back-to-school season puts extra pressure on family budgets. Fortunately, many programs help with school supplies, backpacks, and clothing so your children can start the year prepared.

Where to Find Help

• Salvation Army: Hosts back-to-school events with supplies and clothing
• Community Action Agencies: Often distribute school supplies
• Churches and Faith Organizations: Many run supply drives
• School Districts: Ask about supply assistance programs
• United Way: Coordinates school supply distributions in many areas

Tax-Free Shopping Days

Many states offer tax-free weekends for school supplies and clothing before school starts. Check your state’s schedule to save on purchases you need to make.

Clothing Assistance

• Thrift stores: Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local shops
• Clothing closets: Free clothing at churches and nonprofits
• School clothing drives: Check with your school counselor

Free and Reduced School Supplies Programs

The cost of school supplies can strain any family’s budget, but numerous programs exist to help. The Salvation Army, Goodwill, and United Way organize back-to-school drives in communities across the country every summer, providing free backpacks filled with notebooks, pencils, crayons, folders, and other essentials. Many churches, community centers, and local nonprofits host their own supply drives as well. To find events near you, check with your school district’s family resource center, call 2-1-1, or search online for back-to-school drives in your city or county. Some programs require pre-registration while others are first-come first-served, so start looking early in the summer to ensure you do not miss any deadlines. Teachers frequently purchase supplies out of their own pockets and keep extras available for students who need them, so if your child needs supplies during the school year, reaching out to their teacher directly can often help.

Free and Reduced-Price School Meals

The National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program provide free or reduced-price meals to millions of students every school day. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for free meals, while those with incomes between 130 and 185 percent qualify for reduced-price meals at no more than thirty cents for breakfast and forty cents for lunch. Applications are available through your child’s school at the beginning of each school year, and you can apply at any time during the year if your financial situation changes. In some high-poverty school districts, all students receive free meals regardless of individual family income through the Community Eligibility Provision. Qualifying for free or reduced-price meals also unlocks other benefits, including fee waivers for college application and standardized testing fees, reduced costs for school activities, and eligibility for certain technology programs.

Clothing Assistance for Students

Many families struggle with the cost of back-to-school clothing, especially for growing children who need new sizes every year. Organizations like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and local thrift stores offer affordable clothing options, and many hold special back-to-school sales with deeply discounted prices. Some communities organize free clothing closets or swap events where families can exchange gently used clothing. Several states hold sales tax holidays in late summer during which clothing purchases below a certain dollar amount are exempt from state sales tax, which can save families a meaningful amount on back-to-school shopping. Dress for Success and similar organizations help older students and young adults build professional wardrobes for job interviews and internships. If your family is experiencing financial hardship, contact your child’s school counselor, who may be able to connect you with local clothing assistance programs or emergency funds designated for student needs.

Technology and Tutoring Resources

Access to a computer and internet at home has become essential for students to complete homework, research projects, and online learning assignments. Organizations like PCs for People and human-I-T provide refurbished laptops and desktop computers to low-income families at very low cost or for free. Many school districts also have device lending programs where students can borrow a Chromebook or laptop for the school year. For internet access, check with your internet provider about low-income plans, and see whether your library offers Wi-Fi hotspot lending. When it comes to academic support, many communities offer free tutoring through libraries, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, and volunteer-run homework help programs. Online platforms like Khan Academy provide free instruction in math, science, reading, and other subjects at every grade level. Your child’s school may also offer after-school tutoring or homework clubs at no cost. Taking advantage of these resources can help set your child up for a successful school year without putting additional financial pressure on your family.

Free and Reduced School Supplies Programs

The cost of school supplies can strain any family’s budget, but numerous programs exist to help. The Salvation Army, Goodwill, and United Way organize back-to-school drives in communities across the country every summer, providing free backpacks filled with notebooks, pencils, crayons, folders, and other essentials. Many churches, community centers, and local nonprofits host their own supply drives as well. To find events near you, check with your school district’s family resource center, call 2-1-1, or search online for back-to-school drives in your city or county. Some programs require pre-registration while others are first-come first-served, so start looking early in the summer to ensure you do not miss any deadlines. Teachers frequently purchase supplies out of their own pockets and keep extras available for students who need them, so if your child needs supplies during the school year, reaching out to their teacher directly can often help.

Free and Reduced-Price School Meals

The National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program provide free or reduced-price meals to millions of students every school day. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for free meals, while those with incomes between 130 and 185 percent qualify for reduced-price meals at no more than thirty cents for breakfast and forty cents for lunch. Applications are available through your child’s school at the beginning of each school year, and you can apply at any time during the year if your financial situation changes. In some high-poverty school districts, all students receive free meals regardless of individual family income through the Community Eligibility Provision. Qualifying for free or reduced-price meals also unlocks other benefits, including fee waivers for college application and standardized testing fees, reduced costs for school activities, and eligibility for certain technology programs.

Clothing Assistance for Students

Many families struggle with the cost of back-to-school clothing, especially for growing children who need new sizes every year. Organizations like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and local thrift stores offer affordable clothing options, and many hold special back-to-school sales with deeply discounted prices. Some communities organize free clothing closets or swap events where families can exchange gently used clothing. Several states hold sales tax holidays in late summer during which clothing purchases below a certain dollar amount are exempt from state sales tax, which can save families a meaningful amount on back-to-school shopping. Dress for Success and similar organizations help older students and young adults build professional wardrobes for job interviews and internships. If your family is experiencing financial hardship, contact your child’s school counselor, who may be able to connect you with local clothing assistance programs or emergency funds designated for student needs.

Technology and Tutoring Resources

Access to a computer and internet at home has become essential for students to complete homework, research projects, and online learning assignments. Organizations like PCs for People and human-I-T provide refurbished laptops and desktop computers to low-income families at very low cost or for free. Many school districts also have device lending programs where students can borrow a Chromebook or laptop for the school year. For internet access, check with your internet provider about low-income plans, and see whether your library offers Wi-Fi hotspot lending. When it comes to academic support, many communities offer free tutoring through libraries, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, and volunteer-run homework help programs. Online platforms like Khan Academy provide free instruction in math, science, reading, and other subjects at every grade level. Your child’s school may also offer after-school tutoring or homework clubs at no cost. Taking advantage of these resources can help set your child up for a successful school year without putting additional financial pressure on your family.