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.
For everything else, I shop at dollar stores, ALDI, Target, and wherever things are on sale!
And to find freebies…for the second year in a row I’ve put together a list of where you can find them!
Here are FREE school supply giveaways in the Twin Cities this year, 2024:
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1
Gigi’s Styles Boutique Back to School Give Away. 1:00 – 5:00pm. 1834 Emerson Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN. Backpacks, School Supplies, Hygiene, Clothes, Community Resources information packets.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 3
Backpack and Supply Drive. 11:00am – 1:00pm. Palace Community Center, 781 Palace Ave, St. Paul. Backpacks, school supplies, and educational resources will be provided to first 100 families to sign up. Plus fun activities.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4
Back to School Giveaway. 12:00 – 5:00pm. The Foundry Pub, 1201 Jackson St, Saint Paul. FREE school supplies and FREE haircut vouchers while supplies last. Food trucks, live entertainment.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7
Back to School Jamboree. 2:00 – 6:00pm. 701 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis. Free school supplies.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 9
Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway. 11:00am – 1:00pm. Wilder Recreation Center, 958 Jessie St, Saint Paul. Free food, backpacks, and school supplies will be available while supplies last.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 11
Community Hope Fest. 1:00 – 6:00pm. Sherburne County Fairgrounds, Business Center Drive NW, Elk River. Enjoy horse rides, yard games, face painting, inflatables, a beanbag/cornhole tournament, a ninja course, a skateboard tricks demonstration and much more. Free backpacks filled with basic school supplies will be given to the first 1000 kids so get there when doors open at 1:00 pm and stay all afternoon!
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14
Back to School Jamboree. 2:00 – 6:00pm. MPD 5th Precinct, 3101 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis. Free school supplies.
Back to School Backpack Giveaway. 4:00 – 7:00pm. 450 Syndicate St N, Saint Paul, MN. Backpacks, car seat support, community resources, food and drink and more. All of this will be available during our Backpack Giveaway event on August 14th from 4-7pm at the CAPRW Resource Building (450 Syndicate St N)! Children must be present for backpack.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17
School-A-Palooza 2024. 8:30am – 12:30pm. Berean Baptist – Burnsville Campus, 309 Co Rd 42 E, Burnsville. REGISTER IN ADVANCE. Help your school-age kids (K-12 grade) “shop” for many of the items necessary to help them be successful this school year. Then, stay for breakfast and fun kids’ activities! There will be:
- Interpreters for assistance
- Free Breakfast for the whole family
- Free Backpacks & School Supplies
- Free Coats, Boots, & Winter Gear
- Free Shoes & Socks
- Free Bounce Houses & Fire Truck Shows
- Opportunities to meet with local services
Back 2 School BBQ. 11:00am – 3:00pm. Zanewood Recreation Center, Brooklyn Park. This entirely FREE EVENT will include thousands of backpack giveaways filled with school supplies, plenty of BBQ, activities, community resources, prizes, and more. Register in advance.
Cuts with a Cop. 11:00am – 3:00pm. Moler Barber School, 785 53rd Ave NE, Columbia Heights. Columbia Heights Public Schools students will receive a free haircut and backpack, while supplies last.
Summer Block Party at Rice & Larpenteur 2024. 11:00am – 3:00pm. Rice St and Larpenteur Ave., 1675 Rice St. St Paul. Family fun, live music and performances, local food, giveaways, and more.
Ready, Set, Thrive! 1:00 – 4:00pm. Mary Ann Young Center/Aquatore Park, 9150 Central Ave NE, Blaine. FREE school supplies, health resources, etc.
Annual Back to School Carnival. 1:00 – 5:00pm. North Community YMCA, 1711 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis. Free, family-friendly event with free food, games, entertainment, healthcare screening, job fair, and other activities and opportunities. Pre-register to receive a backpack for your child(ren).
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22
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.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24
The BlackOUT: Back to School/End of Summer Celebration. 12:00 – 6:00pm. Oxford Aquatic Jimmy Lee Rec, 1071 Iglehart Ave, St Paul, MN. FREE Food, FREE Ice Cream, Activities, Back-To-School Supplies Giveaways, Book Giveaways, more. The BlackOUT is a Vision of celebrating Black Excellence, in a Black-owned space, to spend money with / support Black-owned food vendors, and Black-owned merchandisers from the community!!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
Minneapolis Speaks. 1:00 – 6:00pm. 1101 W Broadway, Minneapolis. Families and community members will have the opportunity to spend an afternoon of fun and connection, enjoying food, haircuts, school supplies, face painting, bouncy houses, and entertainment-all free of charge.
Back to School Community Event. 2:00 – 7:00pm. Northtown Mall, 398 Northtown Drive Northeast Blaine, MN. Backpacks sold out but you can still attend.
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
Read this Star Tribune article about school supply shopping where I was interviewed for money-saving tips!
And print this FREE Printable Back to School Activity Packet!
