Have you ever wondered why your child’s school supply list includes 48 pre-sharpened No. 2 pencils, 12 glue sticks, 3 crayon boxes, 1 box of ziploc bags, 2 tissue boxes, and other seemingly vast amounts of other office items?
Well, here’s why:
Central Texas' low income student population has grown by more than 94 percent over the last ten years. Almost 50% of students in Central Texas are considered low-income.
The average costs for school supplies every year is $35 which creates an extra burden for already challenged families as well as for teachers, who often spend their own money buying missing supplies for their classrooms and students.
In order to ease the burden of both families and teachers, school districts that are continuously facing tighter budgets, are trying to outsource the financial obligation by requesting that parents help provide these supplies.
In addition to asking parents for their help, many school districts as well as nonprofit organizations host annual school supply drives where individuals and companies can donate school supplies or money to buy school supplies, and eligible students receive items needed for the upcoming school year, such as backpacks, school supplies, clothes, and shoes.
Here is a list of Back-to-School Programs and School-Supply Drives in and around Austin.
Program:
Austin ISD, in collaboration with the city of Austin, hosts its annual Back to School Bash and Safety Fair.
Location: Palmer Events Center
900 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78704
Free shuttles.
Date:
Saturday, August 4, 2018, 12 - 3 pm.
Supplies provided:
Free backpack filled with school supplies (Austin ISD students must be present), free vaccinations by Dell Children’s/AISD Health Services (families must present student shot records), 150 community organizations and district departments will provide information and activities to prepare AISD students for a safe and successful school year, free vision exams and eyeglasses by Kids Vision for Life Central Texas.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Backpack stuffing, event setup, greet families, hand out Bash map, hand out wristbands for children, and more. More info here or contact Griselda Rodriguez at griselda.rodriguez@austinisd.org or 512-414-9955.
Donations/Sponsorship Opportunities:
There are different levels sponsorship opportunities.
Program:
Bastrop Independent School District Back to School Bash and Stuff the Bus will provide 1,500 backpacks with school supplies to Bastrop ISD Pre-K-12th grade students on a first come, first serve basis, as well as games, activities and food will be available free of charge for all attendees.
Location:
Bastrop ISD Memorial Stadium
755 TX-21 W
Cedar Creek, Texas 78612
Date:
Saturday, July 28, 2018, 8:30-10:30 am.
Supplies provided:
Free backpack filled with school supplies.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Contact Lauri Anzaldua at lanzaldua@bisdtx.org or call (512) 772-7180.
Donations/Sponsorship Opportunities:
To become a community partner, make a financial donation for school supplies (accepted year round), or if you have any questions, contact Lauri Anzaldua at lanzaldua@bisdtx.org or call (512) 772-7180. If you would like to donate supplies, donations are accepted at several locations.
Program:
CASA Of Travis County provides school
supplies to the children of CASA Of Travis County who were abused and neglected and gladly accepts donations.
Location (donation drop off): :
CASA Of Travis County
7701 N Lamar Blvd
Ste 301
Austin, TX 78752
Supplies will be distributed to the children of CASA Of Travis County.
Date (donation drop off):
Until Friday, July 27, 2018.
Supplies needed:
Backpack, school supplies.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Year round volunteer opportunities.
Donations/Sponsorship Opportunities:
Donations can be dropped of at CASA Of Travis County, 7701 N Lamar Blvd, Ste 301, Austin, TX 78752.
Program:
Communities In Schools (CIS) provide school supplies to over 1,000 children who face challenges such as poverty, violence, homelessness, and hunger.
Location:
Supplies will be distributed on the CIS campuses or students enrolled in CIS.
Supplies provided:
Backpack, school supplies, clothing, shoes, hygiene supplies.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Drives for students in need, after school programs, tutoring, mentoring, and others. More information here.
Donations/Sponsorship Opportunities:
Your donation of less than $20 will provide a CIS student with a backpack and supplies.
Program:
Foundation Communities provides after-school and summer learning programs for 1,000 students at 12 on-site Learning Centers. The annual Back to School Drive collects backpacks and school
supplies for the students who participate in the after-school program.
Location (donation drop off):
Community Financial Center
2600 West Stassney
Austin, TX 78745
Date (donation drop off):
TBA
Supplies provided:
Backpacks, school supplies.
Donations/Sponsorship Opportunities:
Donations can be dropped of at the Community Financial Center. Date TBA.
Program:
Manos de Cristo helps 2,000 low-income children prepare for a successful school year.
Location:
IDEA Allan Campus
1701 Vargas Road,
Austin, TX 78741
Dates:
Monday, July 30 - Thursday, August 2, 2018, 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Friday, August 3, 2018, 8:00 - 11:00 am (or while supplies last)
Supplies provided:
One backpack, a set of school supplies, two new sets of clothing and a book.
On first come, first serve basis.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Clothing selection, school supplies distribution, registration, entertainment, data entry, photographer, videographer. More information here.
Donations:
$60 will sponsor a child to prepare one child for school. Donate here.
Program:
The Round Rock ISD Partners in Education (PIE) Foundation, Round Rock ISD and the Round Rock Police Department are hosting the annual School Supplies Sunday/Kutz for Kidz Event. Last year with community support they were able to serve 7,000 students and over 15,000 family members.
Location:
Round Rock High School
201 Deep Wood Drive
Round Rock, TX 78664
Date:
Saturday, August 5, 2018, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.
Supplies provided:
Free haircuts, lunch, hearing and eye exams and free school supplies for Round Rock ISD students.
Volunteer Opportunities:
School supply sorting and packing, event set up, activities, food, greeting, parking lot, check-in, and others. More information here.
Donations/Sponsorship Opportunities:
Adopt-A-Grade program and a donation of $2,500 sponsors can support an entire grade level of supplies.
Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation School Supply 100 Club is for small local businesses and individuals to help support the school supply drive by donating $100 to support 10 students.
Donations from individuals.
Program:
SafePlace will serve over 100 children ages 4-21 on their first day of school, and over 300 during the whole school year.
Location:
School supplies are provided for children whose families are getting help from SafePlace.
Supplies provided:
Backpacks, school supplies, gift cards.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Year round volunteer opportunities.
Donations/Sponsorship Opportunities:
School supply donations can be brought directly to the Gil Crane Warehouse at SafePlace.
Year round donations.
Program:
The Salvation Army is working to provide school clothes and supplies for more than 100 children living with their families in their emergency shelters in Austin, so they are able to start school with the same excitement and readiness as all other children.
Location:
School supplies are provided for children living with their families in the Salvation Army emergency shelters in Austin.
Supplies provided:
Backpacks with school supplies, clothing.
Volunteer Opportunities:
School supply donation drives. Email VolunteerAustin@uss.salvationarmy.org by August 1 or call 512-604-5910 for more information.
Donations/Sponsorship Opportunities:
Donate here or contact VolunteerAustin@uss.salvationarmy.org or 512-604-5910 for more information.
Program:
A volunteer effort organized by City of Austin employees to benefit local students.
Location:
Austin City Hall
301 W. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
Date:
Saturday, July 28, 2018, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Supplies provided:
Backpacks with school supplies. School supplies list here.
The backpacks get distributed to AISD schools.