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As Newark families count down to the first day of school, city leaders, local churches, nonprofits, and other groups are stepping in to help cover the cost of getting students ready.
Backpacks, notebooks, pencils, uniforms, and even haircuts can strain a family’s budget before classes start. A typical basket of school supplies will cost families nearly 8% more than last year, according to an analysis by Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation.
Organizations across Newark are hosting giveaways to help close that gap. Here is a list of back-to-school events happening this August.
Saturday, Aug. 15
Essentially Yours From the Heart is hosting a Back-to-School Community Giveback. The event is free for all families, but children must be present.
Where: 508 Central Ave.
When: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 15
The Back 2 School Supply Giveaway and Block Party is hosted by the Young Disciples Community Development Corp., Love of Jesus Family Church of Newark, and Bishop Barbara Glanton.
Where: Love of Jesus Family Church of Newark, 88-94 Boylan St.
When: Noon to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 16
Rev. and Council Member At-Large Louise Scott-Rountree will give away 200 backpacks while supplies last.
Where: Krueger-Scott Mansion, 601 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
When: Noon to 2 p.m.
Tainas Unidas and Trike Masters will host a backpack drive and community care day.
Where: Omar’s Cafe PR, 646 Mt. Prospect Ave.
When: Noon
Tuesday, Aug. 18
The New Jersey Reentry Corporation and other local businesses will provide backpacks and school supplies to children whose parents have been incarcerated or are in recovery from addiction.
Where: New Jersey Reentry Corporation Newark site, 936-938 Bergen St.
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 20
Teach For America New Jersey is hosting two giveaways in the Central and West wards with Council Member At-Large C. Lawrence Crump, Central Ward Council Member Amina Bey, and West Ward Council Member Dupré L. Kelly.
Where: CityPlex Movie Theater, 360-394 Springfield Ave., in the Central Ward; and Boylan Street Recreation Center, 916 South Orange Ave., in the West Ward
When: 1 to 4 p.m. in the Central Ward and 4 to 7 p.m. in the West Ward
Friday, Aug. 21
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is hosting its annual Back-to-School Bash.
Where: Downtown Elementary School, 909 Broad St.
When: 2:30 to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 22
Mayor Ras Baraka and the Newark Workforce Development Board will host a backpack giveaway for city students.
Where: Newark Youth One-Stop Career Center, 375 McCarter Highway, third floor
When: 10 a.m.
Mujeres Valiosas y de Poder is hosting its first annual backpack and school supply giveaway.
Where: Cafecitos Bakery, 113 Broadway
When: 2 to 6 p.m.
High Rollaz and South Ward Council Member Patrick Council will host a back-to-school giveaway. Children must be present with a parent or guardian.
Where: St. Peter’s Park, 378 Lyons Ave.
When: Noon to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 26
Teach For America New Jersey will join South Ward Council Member Patrick Council and other city partners to host the annual South Ward back-to-school pop-up at three local schools.
Where and when: 1 p.m. at Avon Avenue School, 219 Avon Ave.; 3 p.m. at Belmont Runyon Elementary School, 1 Belmont Runyon Way; and 5 p.m. at Hawthorne Avenue School, 428 Hawthorne Ave.
Thursday, Aug. 27
Newark Police’s 4th Precinct will host the precinct’s annual Back2School event.
Where: West Side Park, South 17th St. entrance
When: 1 to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 29
Newark leaders are hosting the Student Success “Back 2 School” Readiness Initiative and community cookout. Students can get free backpacks, haircuts, hair braiding, school uniforms, and more.
Where: Peshine Avenue School playground, 433 Peshine Ave.
When: Noon
Sunday, Aug. 30
St. Luke AME Church will distribute backpacks and other school supplies.
Where: St. Luke AME Church, 146-156 Clinton Ave.
When: 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 9
East Ward Council Member Michael J. Silva and city groups will host a back-to-school event for families, including free haircuts for students.
Where: St. Charles Field at Ironbound Stadium, 109 St. Charles St.
When: 4 to 6 p.m.
Jessie Gómez is a reporter for Chalkbeat Newark, covering public education in the city. Contact Jessie at jgomez@chalkbeat.org.
