Skip to Content
Los Angeles

Here Are 10 Back to School Drives That Are Offering Free Supplies to Students

3:24 PM PDT on August 12, 2022

Photo by note thanun on Unsplash

For most students, summer vacation will be coming to an end this weekend, and while some may be ready to return to school, many are still doing some last-minute shopping for school supplies. 

Although back-to-school shopping can be exciting— having to choose a new cool notebook, or a new backpack for a fresh look is very important—it could also burn a hole in your wallet.

For those parents wanting some extra help, we rounded up 10 different locations in Los Angeles that will be having free events where they will be giving out backpacks, gift cards, school supplies, and more. 

Starting off in Long Beach where Tito Rodriguez, famously known as The Hood Santa, along with his organization Local Hearts Foundation are doing a backpack giveaway this Saturday. Backpacks are filled with all essential school supplies. 


In South Gate Assembly Member Anthony Rendon will also be hosting his annual backpack giveaway this weekend. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Anthony Rendon (@rendon63rd)

Nela’s Student “United for Students” is giving away gift cards for students who are experiencing homelessness. They are also still asking for donations. 

Harbor Community Health Centers

South Central Family Center

Community Pop Up

For details click here.

Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship

For details click here.

Council Member Al Austin Back to School Jam

Inglewood Back to School Drive

My ancestor's Dream Drive

More Stories

Why Are So Many Restaurants Using A.I. for Menus Now?

I already miss the era of gloriously sticky menus, coated with years of grease and who knows what else, and a menu behind the counter with pixelated photos, overexposed plates, low-quality clipart, and typos galore.

October 16, 2026

Our 12 Favorite Menudos in L.A., Mapped

Rich, fatty, earthy, savory, and slightly spicy broth. There’s always a memory tied to menudo: nights of partying and needing that hot broth to bring you back to life; your parents making it for the holidays; or years-long family traditions. These are some of our favorites.

These Are Some of the Wildest Behind-the-Scenes Stories From Stones Throw Records

Peanut Butter Wolf revealed rare lore about recording with MF Doom, Lee Scratch Perry, and J Dilla, beating the indie label odds for 30 years now.

October 15, 2026

A Completely Interactive Guide To L.A. Voter Guides

We've compiled the endorsements of 13 different progressive organizations, including advocacy groups, local media outlets, progressive politicians, and unions, in one interactive page to help you decide who to vote for.

October 14, 2026

These Activists Drive Around the Country to Let You Know It’s Still Legal to Mail-Order Abortion Pills In All 50 States

They stopped in front of LACMA and in East Hollywood over the weekend to share that you can still order Plan B pills by mail, even in the 13 states that have completely banned abortion.

October 14, 2026

The ‘G-Words’: Bass and Raman’s Opposing Views on Palestine May Decide the Mayoral Election

What do the candidates' stances mean for Jewish and Arab voters in L.A.? We asked both. Here's what they said.

October 13, 2026