Community Comes Together for Back-to-School Support

Families gather to receive essential school supplies during a community event.

News Summary

As the school year approaches, Phoenix families are facing difficulties in obtaining necessary school supplies. In response, various organizations are organizing events to provide free backpacks and school supplies. Notable giveaways are scheduled, including events by Faith Christian Center, Roosevelt Elementary School District, and several local churches and community groups. These initiatives aim to support families in need, ensuring that students have the resources necessary for a successful school year.

Phoenix – As students prepare to head back to school across the Valley, families are facing challenges in purchasing necessary school supplies. In response, numerous organizations and companies in the Phoenix area are coordinating backpack and school supply giveaways to assist families in need.

Several events are set to take place on Saturday, July 19, including a Community Backpack Giveaway hosted by Faith Christian Center at Imagine Desert Middle School. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., students can receive backpacks filled with school supplies, haircuts, food, and grocery items. Concurrently, the Roosevelt Elementary School District will hold a Back-to-School Health Fair from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Ed and Verma Pastor Elementary School, where families can access free backpacks, school supplies, fresh vegetables, immunizations, and medical exams.

Another noteworthy event will take place at StonePoint Community Church, which is organizing its Spirit of Hope: Summer Community Event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 4445 W. Olive Ave., Suite #151, Glendale. This event will offer free school supplies, haircuts, and a job fair for attendees. Simultaneously, the city of Surprise is hosting a Back 2 School Community Fair at the Surprise Senior Center, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., which will include the distribution of backpacks, school supplies, snacks, and haircuts.

In addition, the Teen Challenge of Arizona will hold its Back-to-School Bash at the Phoenix Men’s Center from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., aiming to give away over 1,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies. The Harding Firm and East Valley Family Center will also be hosting a school supply giveaway starting at 8 a.m. at Valley Gate Church in Tempe.

On Sunday, July 27, Verizon and Round Room will initiate the School Rocks Backpack Giveaway, distributing over $3 million worth of backpacks across multiple locations. Furthermore, ELMM Law Group’s Backpack to the Future event is scheduled at Maurice C. Cash Elementary School on Monday, July 23, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., providing free backpacks filled with supplies.

TruWest Credit Union and Community Bridges Inc. are contributing significantly to the community by hosting a back-to-school giveaway on Saturday, July 26, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Interstake Center, offering free laptops, backpacks, and school supplies. Vineyard Church is also hosting an event on the same day at 6250 W. Peoria Ave., Glendale, providing free backpacks, school supplies, and sports physicals from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m..

Another event by East Valley Community will take place on Saturday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where a Back-to-School Clothing Swap will offer clothing for students. The Herozona Foundation will conduct a drive-through school supply giveaway on Saturday, July 27 at American Legion Post 65 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m..

Finally, the First Institutional Baptist Church will hold a Back-to-School Bash on Sunday, July 27, starting at 12 p.m. at 1141 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, where families can receive free backpacks, school supplies, shoes, and haircuts. The Lerner and Rowe firm will conclude this series of events with a backpack giveaway on Monday, July 28, beginning at 4 p.m. at Grand Canyon University, distributing backpacks filled with school supplies.

These organized efforts reflect the community’s commitment to supporting families and ensuring students have the necessary resources as they embark on a new school year. Local coverage of these educational initiatives is partially supported by a grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.