Back-to-school countdown: Free supplies, fun activities & donation drives in South Florida

It may seem like summer has just begun, but in reality, we’re less than a month away from the start of the new school year, which is Monday, Aug. 12, in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

That means it’s time to switch back into that routine and start getting ready, stocking up on necessities such as backpacks and notebooks, buying new clothes and shoes, and getting fresh haircuts for the first day — all things that have only gotten more expensive these days.

So cities, nonprofit groups and businesses in both counties have joined forces to help families take the necessary steps with supply giveaways (while sprinkling some fun activities for the whole family into the mix).

For those looking to give back to students in need, there are also several opportunities to contribute to donation drives.

Below, find details on events providing free school supplies and drop-off spots for items being collected in the community.

BROWARD COUNTY

Back to School Backpack Giveaway

When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 20

Where: St. George Park, 3501 NW Eighth St., Lauderhill

Details: For Lauderhill residents only (proof required), this event provides one backpack with school supplies per student, available on a first-come, first-served basis. There also will be food trucks, a DJ, bounce house, face painting and a police K9 demonstration. The giveaway is presented by the city and the Lauderhill Homeowner Associations.

Information: lauderhill-fl.gov

Back To School BBQ

When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 20

Where: Jim Ward Community Center, 301 NW 46th Ave., Plantation

Details: Hosted by the city of Plantation and The Greek food truck, Plantation residents (proof required) can get free school supplies and a barbecue lunch while enjoying inflatables, lawn games, music, prizes and giveaways, among other activities.

Information : plantation.org/residents/community-calendar

Children’s Services Council of Broward County’s Back to School Extravaganza

When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 27

Where: Miramar High School, 3601 SW 89th Ave.

Details: Children in grades K-12 must be present to receive a free backpack filled with school supplies and for other giveaways such as school immunizations, books, shoes and undergarments. There will also be a food distribution for the first 250 families. Vendors from social service agencies will be on-site.

Information : cscbacktoschool.eventbrite.com

Eighth annual Backpack & School Supply Giveaway Event

When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, July 28

Where: Sunrise Middle School, 1750 NE 14th St., Fort Lauderdale

Details : The nonprofit Peanut Butter & Jelly Project ‘s event will provide 2,000 backpacks, school supplies and free haircuts, hair braiding and hot meals to children. Students need to be present and should bring a list from their school. Monetary donations are still needed to fill the backpacks. They also need volunteers for the day.

Information: pbandjproject.org/backtoschool2024

Back-to-School Beach Clean-up and Backpack Giveaway

When: 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1

Where: Dania Beach Pier, 100 N. Beach Road

Details: The city’s annual event calls on volunteers from schools, neighborhoods, nonprofit organizations and businesses to clean up the beach and pier areas. Each participating student will receive a free backpack (limit one per student). There will be contests, drawings for prizes, refreshments, face painting and music. Volunteers will receive community service hours. Free parking will be available.

Information: daniabeachfl.gov

Broward Education Foundation’s Back to School Supply Drive

When: Through Friday, Aug. 23

Where: Broward Education Foundation School Supply Center, 2300 W. Copans Road, Bay 5, Pompano Beach

Details : In addition to dropping off items at the center, there are several other ways to participate in the supply drive that benefits students and teachers in Broward County Public Schools:

• Place donation boxes at your workplace and then either drop off the collection at the Broward Education Foundation School Supply Center or arrange for pickup
• Adopt a school to provide students with backpacks filled with supplies
• Host a virtual drive within an organization to collect monetary donations through browardedfoundation.org/drive .

Supplies needed include backpacks, black compositions books, crayons, pink rectangular erasers, two-pocket folders, glue sticks, individual hand sanitizers, highlighters, single-hole punchers, index cards, markers, notebook paper, pencil pouches, pencil sharpeners, No, 2 pencils, pens (black and blue ink), rulers, children’s scissors and wide-ruled spiral notebooks.

Information : browardedfoundation.org/drive

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Back-to-School Bash Donation Drive

When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 20

Where: Arden Event Lawn (next to the community clubhouse), 2835 Arden Park Drive, Loxahatchee

Details: The Arden community and homebuilder Lennar Palm Atlantic Division have partnered to support the nonprofit Hibiscus Children’s Center . They will be accepting backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils and other classroom necessities during the free event, which includes music, food trucks, water-themed bounce houses, face painting and balloon artists.

Information: ardenfl.com/life-here/events

Boynton Beach Police School Supply Drive

When: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, through Aug. 1

Where: Boynton Beach Police Department lobby, 2100 High Ridge Road

Details: Donate school supplies to help students in need. Find the registries at target.com and amazon.com .

Information: Facebook.com/boyntonbeachpolice

Back to School Backpack Days

When: Through Thursday, Aug. 1

Where : Unity of Delray Beach Church office, 101 NW 22nd St.

Details: Bring items to Sunday church services and place them in the bookstore lobby at the church’s south entrance or come to the office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays (closed noon to 1 p.m. daily). Supplies needed include tissues, colored pencils, pencils, glue sticks, rulers, three-ring binders, pencil cases, spiral notebooks, lined paper and more. Monetary donations also will be accepted.

Information: unityofdelraybeach.org

Back-to-School Health Fair

When: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 27

Where: FoundCare, 2330 S. Congress Ave., Palm Springs

Details: Registration was required for this event — which is providing free services such as hearing and vision screenings, school physicals and vaccinations — and has reached capacity. There will be limited walk-in spots available.

Information: foundcare.org/back2school

Back to School Supply Drive

When: Through Monday, July 22

Where: Greenacres Community Center, 501 Swain Blvd.

Details: The city of Greenacres is collecting pencils, composition books, highlighters, erasers, copy paper, glue sticks, children’s scissors, pens, markers and backpacks for students.

Information: greenacresfl.gov

Dress for Success Palm Beaches Back to School Teacher Appreciation

When:

• Palm Springs: noon-4 p.m. July 24-27 and Aug. 1-3
• Belle Glade: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. July 24-26 and Aug. 1-2

Where: Palm Springs headquarters, 2459 S. Congress Ave., Suite 204, and Belle Glade branch, 1089 S. Main St.

Details: For the fourth year, the nonprofit Dress for Success Palm Beaches is giving female teachers a free back-to-school clothes shopping experience to get them ready for the new school year. Teachers can make a reservation for a “pampering” appointment with a personal stylist. Participants also receive school supplies and other items.

Information: Make an appointment by calling 561-249-3898; dressforsuccesspb.org

Back-to-School “Party in the Park”

When: 5-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2

Where: Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington

Details: Sponsored by the Christopher Aguirre Memorial Foundation, and hosted in partnership with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, the free event has a lineup of activities including a prize wheel to win free school items (tote bags, badge holders, phone holders, pencil holders), a trackless train, food trucks, face painting, costumed characters and bounce houses.

Information: wellingtonfl.gov

Back-to-School Bash

When: Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3

Where: Riviera Beach Marina Event Center, 190 E. 13th St.

Details : Hosted by Riviera Beach Councilman Douglas Lawson and the Sincere2000 Foundation, the free event will give students bookbags and supplies, haircuts and manicures, as well as mental health awareness and suicide prevention materials. There will also be a splash pad, bounce houses, music and free food.

Information: Registration required at sincere2000.org .

Back 2 School Bash

When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3

Where: Village of Palm Springs courtyard, 226 Cypress Lane

Details: Children must be present to receive free school supplies. Food vendors and face painters also will be on-site.

Information: Facebook.com/villageofpalmsprings