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The Philadelphia School District’s first day of school is rapidly approaching. Students return Monday, Aug. 24, and teachers will be back for professional development between Aug. 17 and 21.
This academic year, school communities will be battling the heat, dealing with a transition year before some school closures, and continuing to think about ways to keep young people safe and engaged in their learning.
If you’re looking for free school supplies, backpacks, health screenings, and community block parties, here’s where to go in Philly this summer.
Know of other events that aren’t on our list? Email us at philadelphia.tips@chalkbeat.org.
Ongoing
The School District of Philadelphia’s back-to-school bus tour offers free backpacks, snacks, activities, school registration help, and more. All events are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
On Friday, Aug. 7, the bus will be at Penrose School, 2515 S. 78th St.
On Tuesday, Aug. 11, the bus will be at Marcus Foster Memorial Stadium, also known as Gratz Supersite, 1627 W. Hunting Park Ave.
On Thursday, Aug. 13 the bus will be at MLK High School, 6100 Stenton Ave.
On Saturday, Aug. 15, the bus will be at Roosevelt Mall, 2329 Cottman Ave.
Saturday, Aug. 8
Episcopal Community Services and the St. Barnabas Community Resource Center’s Gear Up for School event with free school supplies and activities
Where: 6006 W. Girard Ave
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Entrepreneurs of the Future and Men of Courage Philadelphia’s back-to-school drive
Where: 4821 Germantown Ave.
When: Noon to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 12
Congreso block party featuring a backpack giveaway and petting zoo
Where: 2800 N. American St.
When: Noon to 3 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 13
Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes’ office is hosting a backpack giveaway and barbecue
Where: 2401 N. 54th Street
When: 3 to 6 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 14
The Salvation Army Kroc Center’s Back-to-School Backpack Event with free school supplies, carnival games, and a live DJ
Where: 4200 Wissahickon Ave.
When: 4 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 15
The Southeast Asian Market’s annual school supply giveaway
Where: FDR Park, 1500 Pattison Ave. and South Broad Street
When: 10 a.m.
United Missionary Baptist Church’s “Back 2 School” giveaway
Where: Athletic Recreation Center, 1400 N. 26th St.
When: 1 to 4 p.m.
House of Faith Ministries PA’s back-to-school giveaway
Where: 6624 Haverford Ave.
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
House Of Glory Philadelphia’s annual community block party in Germantown with free produce, school supplies, and community resources
Where: 5245 Germantown Ave.
When: Noon to 3 p.m.
New World Leaders’ back-to-school event
Where: 5700 Haverford Ave.
When: 2 to 5 p.m.
Bright Little Scholars’ Back-to-School Giveaway
Where: 4500-02 Westminster Ave.
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
It Takes A Village Foundation’s Back-to-School Community Day with a backpack giveaway and health screenings for kids and adults
Where: 126 Leverington Ave.
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 16
Maison Mane Hair Company’s school supply giveaway and block party
Where: 1633 W. Oxford St.
When: 3 to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 19
ACHIEVEability’s backpack drive with 1,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies
Where: 5901 Market St.
When: 4 to 6 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 21
Cecil B. Moore Library’s back-to-school bookbag drive featuring family activities, snacks, music, and a school supply and backpack giveaway for the first 100 attendees
Where: 2320 Cecil B. Moore Ave., at 23rd Street
When: Noon
Mansion Youth Coalition Inc.’s giveaway featuring North Philly Allstars Majorette Team
Where: James G. Blaine Elementary School, 3001 W. Berks St.
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 23
Back to School Cuts and Curls event featuring free haircuts, light braiding, school supply giveaways, and more
Where: Canaan Baptist Church, 5430 Pulaski Ave.
When: Noon to 3 p.m.
The Greater Philadelphia YMCA and Barbers Who Care are offering free back-to-school haircuts, school supplies, and health screening.
Where: West Philadelphia YMCA, 5120 Chestnut St.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5
Elegance Xtreme and other organizations’ back-to-school supply giveaway and community fun day
Where: Carroll Park, 58th and 59th streets and Girard Avenue and Thompson Street
When: Noon to 8 p.m.
Where to donate school supplies
The Young Chances Foundation in Grays Ferry is accepting donations of backpacks, notebooks, pencils, pen, crayons, glue, and other supplies from now until August 30th.
Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia is accepting donations. Find a local drop-off point here.
It Takes A Village Foundation is collecting supplies for a Classroom Support Box Program to provide classroom materials and educational resources to teachers. Reach out to info@itavf.org for more information, or call 215-512-6465.
Carly Sitrin is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Philadelphia. Contact Carly at csitrin@chalkbeat.org.
