Photo pulled from Canva.
Although the weather may not be acting like it, students’ summer vacation is coming to a close next month, marking the time to usher in the 2025-26 school year.
To help families meet their needs for a successful start to the year, various community groups and institutions offer giveaways of essentials, including backpacks, notebooks, menstrual products, and even haircuts for your young ones.
The GIH team has compiled a list of these givebacks happening around the neighborhood over the next month.
In Germantown
All Youth Are All Stars Celebration
State Sen. Art Haywood’s office
Date: Saturday, August 2, from 1-4 p.m.
Location: Lonnie Young Recreation Center (1100 E. Chelten Ave.)
What to expect: Bookbags, school supplies, face painting, free food, music, and more.
Community Block Party
House of Glory Philly
Date: Saturday, August 2, from 12 to 3 p.m.
Location: 5245 Germantown Ave
What to expect: Backpacks, school supplies, activities, food, resources, and more.
Learn more: houseofgloryphilly.com
Back-to-School Bus Tour
The School District of Philadelphia
Date: Monday, August 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Martin Luther King High School (6100 Stenton Ave.)
What to expect: Backpacks, free immunizations and school physicals, snacks, enrollment support, and more.
Learn more: philasd.org/ringthebell
Back to School Pads & Pouches Pop-Up
The SPOT Period Hub
Date: Monday, August 4, from 12-2 p.m.
Location: 4811 Germantown Ave.
What to expect: Build-your-own period kit session, educational games, and more.
Qualifications: Must RSVP in advance; link will be provided on July 28.
Learn more: Visit their website.
Back 2 School Resource Fair
State Rep. Andre D. Carroll’s office
Date: Saturday, August 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: INIK Boutique (730 E. Chelten Ave.)
What to expect: Unknown right now.
School Supply Giveaway
Jenc Community/Ctr Jenc Thrift
Date: Saturday, August 16, from 12 p.m. til supplies run out
Location: 5607 Germantown Ave
What to expect: Backpacks, books, school supplies, activities, food, resources, and more.
Summer Fest
First United Methodist Church of Germantown
Date: Sunday, August 17, from 3-5 p.m.
Location: 6001 Germantown Ave
What to expect: School supplies, food, water ice, music, games, and more.
Learn more: Visit their website.
Back 2 School Kickoff
Caring People Alliance
Date: Tuesday, August 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: 301 E Chelten Ave, Third Floor
What to expect: Bookbags, school supplies, and some refreshements.
Back-to-School Giveaway
Belfield Advisory Council
Date: Thursday, August 21, from 2-6 PM
Location: Belfield Recreation Center (2109 Chew Ave.)
What to expect: School supplies and free haircuts.
Qualifications: Child must be present.
Back-to-School Block Party
Maplewood Collective
Date: Saturday, August 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Maplewood Mall (Between Greene St. and Germantown Ave., next to Armat St.)
What to expect: Family activities, games, food vendors, live entertainment, community resources, and free school supplies.
15th Annual Backpack & School Supply Giveaway
6300 Business Alliance
Date: Saturday, August 23, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Concord School House (6309 Germantown Ave.)
What to expect: A full backpack with supplies to start the year.
Fifth Annual Back to School and Teacher Appreciation Drive
Shanks Cleaning Service
Date: Saturday, August 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: 40 E High Street
What to expect: Free book bags with supplies, free water ice and pretzels, games, prizes, gift cards for teachers, and more.
Outside of Germantown
Back To School Backpack Giveaway
Kroc Center
Date: Friday, August 15, 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: 4200 Wissahickon Ave
What to expect: Book bags, school supplies, games, and more fun.
Book Bag Giveaway
ENON Tabernacle
Date: Saturday, August 16, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: ENON Tabernacle parking lot (2800 W. Cheltenham Ave.)
What to expect: Backpacks and other school giveaways.
Qualifications: You must pre-register. Online registration and the flyer will be up soon on their website.
If you’re aware of a bookbag giveaway in or near Germantown scheduled for before the start of the school year, please let us know at gtowninfohub@resolvephilly.org.
***This article was updated on July 28 and August 4 to include new giveaway dates.
***The article was updated on August 19 at the request of the Caring People Alliance to reflect that the event is no longer offering SEPTA Cards at the event.