It’s official: back to school season is officially upon us. With 51.9% of Austin ISD students being economically disadvantaged, back to school season can bring stress for many families. With the first day of school rapidly approaching, we’ve compiled a list of Central Texas school supply drives and events to attend or to help you give back to your fellow neighbors.
Austin ISD’s Back to School Bash
When: Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m
Where: Palmer Events Center (900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704)
What is offered (via AustinISD.org):
- Community organizations
- Austin ISD programs
- Booster seats (Limited quantity, must show proof of enrollment in AISD)
- School supplies - drawstring bags, markers, supply kits, etc. Austin ISD students must be present to receive supplies.
- Free haircuts
- Dental kits
- Eye exams and vouchers
- COVID-19 vaccinations
- Student performances
- Door prizes
- On-site enrollment
- Interpretation available in American Sign Language, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, Farsi, French, Kinyarwanda, Lingala, Pashto, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili and Vietnamese
For more info: https://www.austinisd.org/bash
Round Rock ISD School Supply Drive
Round Rock ISD is hosting an ongoing school supplies drive. Companies and individuals are welcomed to get involved with either monetary or physical contributions. For $2,500 you can ‘Adopt-A-Grade’ and support an entire grade level of students.
Donate: https://www.rrisdeducationfoundation.org/events/school-supplies/
School supplies needed:
- Spiral Notebooks
- Composition Notebooks
- Filler Paper
- Graph Paper
- Highlighters
- Colored Pencils
- Markers
- Crayons
- Pens (Black or Blue)
- Rulers
- Tab Dividers
- Construction Paper
- Pencil Boxes
- Erasers
- Watercolors
- Pencils
Back to School Giveaway
When: Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m
Where: George Washington Carver Museum (1165 Angelina St, Austin, TX 78702)
Former NFL player Joe Barksdale loves to give back in the form of school supply giveaways. Partnering with a local non-profit, Works of Our Hands, Barksdale is sponsoring this event. This year he has donated 500 of his favorite Sprayground backpacks for the giveaway. Also featured at the event will be exhibitions, music performances, haircuts, and refreshments.
Want to Donate? 1-512-955-2100 ; [email protected]
Partnerships for Children School Supply Drive
Partnerships for Children provides the school supplies that children under the care of CPS need to be successful. Each year they donate over 1000 backpacks to these kids. There are options to donate funds, shop the Amazon wishlist, or sponsor a child!
For more info: https://partnershipsforchildren.org/back-to-school/
Austin YES Box of Dreams
Partnering with Texas YES (Youth Educational Support Project), Austin YES collects money to build school supply kits that support Title 1 elementary schools. They supply every student K-5 with a “Box of Dreams” or school supply kit.
For more info: https://www.austinyes.org/box-of-dreams/
More organizations to donate supplies to:
- Communities in School (512) 462-1771
- Central Texas Food Bank (512) 282-2111
- Carrying Hope (backpack donations) [email protected]
We hope this list gives you an idea of how to make a difference during this back to school season! Share this resource, spread the word, and have a great start to the school year. #MOREgiving