As the back-to-school rush starts, organizations around the Valley and state are holding events to provide free school supplies.
Below are some upcoming events in 2026 for students in Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa and other parts of metro Phoenix and Arizona as well as parents and caregivers.
Supplies
Lerner & Rowe backpack giveaways across Arizona
This first-come, first-served event offers supply-filled backpacks. Students must be present.
- 5 p.m. until supplies last, July 9, 2026 — Phoenix East Valley, AZ Athletic Grounds, 6321 S. Ellsworth Road, Mesa, AZ 85212) |
- 2 p.m. until supplies last, July 11, 2026 — Yuma County Fairgrounds, 2520 E. 32nd St., Yuma, AZ 85365.
- 4 p.m. until supplies last, July 13, 2026 — Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701.
- 4 p.m. until supplies last, July 17, 2026 — Phoenix West Valley. Desert Diamond Arena 9400 W Maryland Ave, Glendale, AZ 85305.
- More information: https://lernerandrowe.com/free-backpacks/
Surprise — Back to School Confidence Drive
Families will be able to shop for free clothes, shoes, backpacks, hygiene items, school supplies and more.
- 6-9 p.m., July 10, 2026.
- 14763 W. Cactus Road, Surprise, AZ 85379
- More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/back-to-school-confidence-driv/2828414607496924/
Adelante Healthcare Back to School Events
These outdoor first-come, first-served events offer free backpacks and school supplies. Students must be present.
- 9-11 a.m., July 11, 2026, at Adelante Healthcare Surprise, 15351 W. Bell Road, Surprise, AZ 85374 and Adelante Healthcare Mesa, 1705 W. Main St., Mesa, AZ 85201.
- 9-11 a.m. July 25, 2026, at Adelante Healthcare Goodyear, 13471 W. Cornerstone Blvd., Goodyear, AZ 85395, and Adelante Healthcare West Phoenix, 9610 N. Metro Parkway West, Phoenix, AZ 85051.
- More information: https://adelantehealthcare.com/2026-back-to-school-party/
El Mirage — Free backpacks, supplies and more
Students in kindergarten through eighth grade will receive free backpacks, school supplies, clothes and more along with a BBQ lunch and water slides.
- 9-11 a.m. Saturday, July 11, 2026.
- El Mirage Elementary School, 13500 N El Mirage Rd, El Mirage, AZ 85335.
- More information: facebook.com
Tolleson — Cover Arizona Back-to-School Health Fair
Families can receive free backpacks and other item school items while supplies last, along with vaccination and health services.
- 8 a.m.-noon, Saturday, July 11, 2026.
- Porfirio H. Gonzales Elementary School, 9401 W. Garfield St., Tolleson, AZ 85353
- More information: facebook.com
Phoenix — Community Center Back2School Event
Families will find music, free backpacks and school supplies and more at this event co-sponsored by Arizona Diamondbacks and the Gamma Sigma Omega Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated.
- 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, July 11, 2026
- 35th Avenue & Baseline Road Community Center, 7858 S. 35th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85339
- More information: phoenix.gov/parks
Phoenix — Back to School Bash
This event will feature games, food, live entertainment and school supplies giveaways.
- 9-11 a.m., July 18, 2026.
- Teen Challenge Arizona Greater Phoenix Men's Center, 1515 Grand Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85007
- More information: https://give.tcaz.org/event/2026-17th-annual-back-to-school-bash/e799753
Phoenix — Community Backpack Giveaway
Families can pick up backpacks filled with school supplies while they last. The event also features food, activities and haircuts.
- 11 a.m.-3 p.m., July 18, 2026.
- Imagine Desert Middle School, 6800 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85035
- More information: https://fccphoenix.com/calendar
Glendale — Get Ready 4 School Glendale
At this free event, 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies will be distributed to school-aged children on a first-come, first-served basis (child must be present). Also features free breakfast, haircuts and dental screenings.
- 8-11 a.m., July 18, 2026.
- GESD System of Care Center: 7677 W. Bethany Home Road, Glendale, AZ 85303
- More information: facebook.com/GESD40
Glendale — Back to School Giveaway
This first-come, first-served event offers free backpacks, supplies and sports physicals. Student must be present.
- 8-9:30 a.m., July 18, 2026.
- Vineyard North Phoenix, 6250 W. Peoria Ave., Glendale, AZ
- More information: https://vineyardnorthphoenix.com/backtoschool/
Phoenix — Free school supplies drive-thru from Amazing Offer
This drive-thru providing free backpacks filled with school supplies sponsored by Amazing Offer is first-come, first-served for K-12 students. Students must be present in the vehicle.
- 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, July 18, 2026
- 12808 N. Black Cyn Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85029
- More information: facebook.com
Phoenix — 2nd Annual Backpack to the Future
This event sponsored by Elmm Law Group offers K-5 students at Maurice C. Cash Elementary School free school supplies, water bottles and free Kona Ice snow cones.
- 1-3 p.m., July 22, 2026.
- Maurice C. Cash Elementary School, 5000 S. Sandomir Way, Phoenix AZ 85041-9805
- More information: https://getgordi.com/backpack-to-the-future-event/
Mesa — Arizona Diamondbacks Back-to-School Backpack Program
Families can receive backpacks filled with school supplies from the D-backs and Honeywell Launch Back-to-School Backpack Program.
- 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, July 22, 2026
- Mesa Public Library, 64 E. 1st St., Mesa, AZ 85201
- More information: https://events.mesalibrary.org/event/arizona-diamondbacks-back-school-backpack-program-189054
Mesa — Back to School Community event hosted by CBI Mesa Prevention Alliance
Organizers say the event is open to all K-12 students in the community, and offers free backpacks as well as haircuts, socks and more.
- 8:30 a.m.-noon, July 25, 2026.
- Mesa High School, 1630 E. Southern Ave., Mesa, AZ 85204.
- More information: https://communitybridgesinc.org/back-to-school-event/
Phoenix — Isaac School District and Molina Healthcare Back-to-School Health Fair
Families can find free school supplies, immunizations, sports physicals and more at this event.
- 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, July 25, 2026
- Isaac Middle School, 3402 W. McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85009
- More information: facebook.com
Glendale — Tools 4 School
This event features free backpacks and school supplies as well as haircuts.
- 7:30-10 a.m. Saturday, July 25, 2026
- Dave & Busters, 9460 West Hanna Lane, Glendale, AZ, United States, 85305
- More information: facebook.com
Phoenix — Phoenix Tools 4 School
This event provides free school supplies and backpacks to students from kindergarten through eighth grade.
- 7-11 a.m. Saturday, July 25, 2026
- American Legion Post 41, 715 S 2nd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Glendale and Tucson — Back to School Brigade
This event giving away free school supplies is only for eligible dependents of service members. Register for full details: operationhomefront.com
Donate
Stuff the Bus Challenge with Fulton Homes & 98KUPD
Come in person to donate backpacks and other school supplies for the chance to get free items from mall vendors.
- 10 a.m.-noon, June 20 and June 27, 2026.
- Chandler Fashion Center, 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85226
- More information: https://www.shopchandlerfashioncenter.com/Events/StuffTheBus
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