Free school supplies, backpacks, haircuts and health screenings in the Champaign-Urbana area
Back to school can be expensive — area organizations and businesses are here to help families with some school year needs
The list gets longer every year. Back-to-school haircuts, growing school supply lists, fees to register kids at school, new shoes and so much more…this might be one of the most expensive times of year to be a parent. Thankfully we have area partners who are coming together to support Champaign-Urbana area families during the back-to-school season.
Need school supplies? Many area organizations and churches conduct collection drives for backpacks and supplies (sometimes distributed together, sometimes separately). Occasionally these are distributed directly to the school, so if you have a hard time finding an event to register for, you may reach out directly to your child’s school and see if they have any donations provided available for this school year.
Grade: Chambanamoms.com is not a sponsor of the events listed below. All events have limited supplies or appointments available; please check with the organization or plan to go early to these events. We are not responsible for last minute changes or updates to back-to-school events and activities listed in this post.
Events providing free school supplies, backpacks, haircuts or health screenings this year
Back to School BBQ
When: 08/06/2022, 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Where: Prairie Fields Park, 200 Prairie Rose Lane, Savoy
Details: The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is hosting a Back to School BBQ on August 6 from 4-8pm at Prairie Fields Park in Savoy. There will be free food, entertainment, and a school supply giveaway.
Back to School Giveaway for Unit 4 Students
When: 08/09/2022, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Where: Marketplace Mall, 2000 N Neil Street, Champaign
Details: Head to Market Place Mall on August 9 for a Back to School Giveaway! Free school supplies for registered Unit 4 students, first come, first served. Market Place Mall August 9, 2022 11am – 1pm & 4pm – 7pm For more info, call 217-351-3701.
Back to School Giveaway for Unit 4 Students
When: 08/09/2022, 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Where: Marketplace Mall, 2000 N Neil Street, Champaign
Details: Head to Market Place Mall on August 9 for a Back to School Giveaway! Free school supplies for registered Unit 4 students, first come, first served. Market Place Mall August 9, 2022 11am – 1pm & 4pm – 7pm For more info, call 217-351-3701.
Back to school bash
When: 08/13/2022, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Where: AMBUCS Park, 1100 block of East University Avenue, Urbana
Details: The community is invited to a Back to School Bash, complete with a school supplies giveaway. Enjoy a free hot dog, chips, popcorn, snow cone, and drink. There will also be inflatables, carnival games, and face painting. Firetruck Fun – come see a firetruck up close and get behind the wheel for some extra fun.
Be My Neighbor Day
When: 08/13/2022, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Douglass Park, 512 E. Grove St., Champaign
Details: Daniel Tiger would like to meet your family! Come to Illinois Public Media’s big tent at Champaign-Urbana Days at Douglass Park on August 13 for the Be My Neighbor Day back-to-school event between 11am and 5pm! Illinois Public Media staff and partners at Head Start will be giving away free dental hygiene kits and socks for kids, and there will be kid-friendly activities to take home. Daniel Tiger will be available at select times for photographs with your child. And everyone can practice being a caring neighbor by making a card for a senior citizen, nurse, or teacher. Illinois Public…read more…
Where to donate
Looking for places to donate school supplies?
Winderson’s Creations, Mahomet: Bring new or very gently used backpacks, new school supplies and new underwear/socks to Winderson’s (inside Sangamon on Main) to be donated to Mom’s Pantry for distribution through the schools this year. Donate through Aug. 5.
Have a free event or a distribution drive going on this summer to prepare for back to school?
We want to know about it! Submit your event here with the details.
Check out our Back to School Series, presented by Christie Clinic:
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