Times are tough, families. With inflation rising and incomes not keeping up – and many of us working multiple jobs to make ends meet – the last thing we want to do is go even more broke buying costly school supplies.
GOOD NEWS – School supplies are necessary, but they don’t have to cost a fortune!
I save money on back to school supplies – and most everything else – by getting what I need free, then used, then I stack deals on what’s left.
How to get things free?
- Check what you have at home – you may already have some of what your kids need for the new school year, such as quality backpacks, unused folders, paper, pencils.
- Join your local Buy Nothing group! Find one for your area on Facebook and there you can get or give FREE items within your own community.
- Go to a FREE school supply event in your area! Here, anyone can go and get supplies. They won’t typically cover all your needs, but they will help take the edge off of shopping.
Here are FREE school supply giveaways in the Twin Cities this year, 2023:
SUNDAY, AUGUST 13
Community Hope Fest. 2:00 – 6:00pm. Sherburne County Fairgrounds, Business Center Drive NW, Elk River. Free food, activities. Free backpacks for the first 350 kids.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19
Edina Back to School Kids Clothing Swap. 10:00am – 1:00pm. Edina Senior Center, Edina. Swap instead of shop at the inaugural Back to School Clothing Swap. Find gently used clothing for ages kindergarten through 12th grade to get your family ready for back to school!
Back 2 School BBQ. 11:00am – 4:00pm. Zanewood Recreation Center, Brooklyn Park. Join us, this August 19th for an amazing time of fellowship and fun. We will again be cooking our delicious BBQ, have bouncy houses, the best face painters in the state, along with several activities for kids, and more!
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25
Back to School & Teachers Appreciation Event. 2:00 – 8:00pm. Maplewood Mall. Free school supplies table for teachers, vendors, discounts.
The Salvation Army Back to School Bash. 3:00 – 6:00pm. The Salvation Army Noble Worship and Service Center, Brooklyn Park. There will be food, music, games, activities, a bounce house, and of course school supplies. Although all are welcome, but only people who register will be guaranteed a backpack with school supplies.
MONDAY, AUGUST 28
Barbers & Backpacks. 12:00 – 4:00pm. 2090 Conway St, St. Paul. Backpacks, school supplies, vouchers for free haircuts.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Back 2 School Bash FREE Community Event. 2:00 – 7:00pm. 1349 Arcade St, St Paul, MN. We want to welcome everyone to come join us as we get ready for the kids to go back to school! We will have limited supplies of school supplies, free haircuts and dread retwist, along with some fly local clothing vendors! This is a free community event. We will have live music, food trucks, free food, video game truck, bouncy houses and more!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Free Back 2 School Giveaway. 10:00am – 4:00pm. King Milans Barbershop, 511 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55103. Free haircuts, food, school supplies, backpacks.
Do you have more events to add to this list? Let me know or comment below.
Want more money-saving tips? Check out my guide:
25 Money-Saving Tips for Back to School Shopping
