Written by Kenzie Barrena
Back-to-school season is nearly here, and Arizona’s nonprofits, businesses, and community groups are rallying to make sure every student starts the year with a full backpack. These Arizona back-to-school drives stretch across the Valley and beyond, with easy ways to donate supplies from Phoenix to Tucson.
Where to Donate and Get Free School Supplies in Arizona?
Fulton Homes’ 27th Annual Stuff the Bus
Now in its 27th year, Fulton Homes’ Stuff the Bus drive parks a big yellow school bus outside the food court entrance at Chandler Fashion Center, collecting K-12 school supplies since June 15 and continuing through July 5 to benefit Save the Family, a nonprofit that has supported Valley families facing homelessness for more than 35 years. The wish list includes backpacks, reusable water bottles, notebooks and filler paper, colored pencils and markers, pens, No. 2 pencils, highlighters, erasers, rulers, glue sticks, and pencil sharpeners. Donations are welcome anytime through July 5 at the mall’s security office, down the food court hallway between Johnny Rockets and F.Y.E. For more information, visit chandlerfashioncenter.com.
The Salvation Army Backpack SOS
Running July 7 through July 27, Backpack SOS makes giving simple: drop new backpacks and school supplies in the collection bins at any Valley Fry’s Food Store, or make a monetary donation online. The Phoenix-based program distributes the supplies to local students whose families cannot cover the cost, and families who need assistance can reach the Salvation Army’s Family Services line at 602-267-4122. For more information, visit salvationarmyphoenix.org/backpack-sos.
The Foster Alliance Back-to-School Essentials Drive
Formerly known as Arizona Helping Hands, The Foster Alliance runs a Back-to-School Essentials Drive built specifically for children in foster care, who often start the year at a brand-new school in a new town. This year’s drive goes beyond backpacks and pencils to include clothes and shoes for students in Pre-K through 12th grade, so they can walk in feeling confident and like themselves. You can give in a few ways: donate funds online, shop the organization’s Amazon wish lists, or host your own supply drive by picking up collection boxes at the Phoenix office on weekdays. For more information, visit thefosteralliance.org/back-to-school-drive.
Legacy Connection’s Backpack Buddies
Run by BHHS Legacy Foundation and Legacy Connection, Backpack Buddies equips thousands of students across Maricopa County and Arizona’s Tri-State region (Bullhead City, Laughlin, and Needles) with a full “total package” of support valued at about $450 per student, including uniforms, shoes, hygiene items, and school supplies. The program serves children in foster care, Title I schools, and military families, backed by year-round clothing closets on school campuses and a literacy initiative. One important update for 2026: the foundation is no longer a Qualified Charitable Organization for the Arizona tax credit, so gifts no longer qualify for the dollar-for-dollar state credit, though they remain tax-deductible. For more information, visit bhhslegacy.org.
CBI Mesa Prevention Alliance School Supply Drive
Over in the East Valley, Mesa Prevention Alliance, part of Community Bridges, is collecting donations through June 30 at Mesa Police Department substations, the Texas Roadhouse on Power Road, and TruWest Credit Union. The drive leads up to a free back-to-school community event on July 25 at Mesa High School, open to all K-12 students, with backpacks, haircuts, socks, and more. For more information, visit communitybridgesinc.org.
Duet Back-to-School Backpack Drive for Grandfamilies
Duet’s Annual Back-to-School Backpack Drive focuses on a group that often gets overlooked: kids being raised by their grandparents. With back-to-school costs expected to reach about $890 per household this year, the Phoenix nonprofit aims to equip 200 K-12 grandchildren with backpacks, since many grandfamilies live on fixed incomes with little outside support. You can help two ways: shop the organization’s Amazon wish list, or drop off backpacks and supplies at Duet’s Phoenix office, Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., where a collection box sits outside the door. Recommended backpack brands include JanSport, The North Face, Lands’ End, Carhartt, and Adidas, and retail gift cards in $25 to $50 increments help cover shoes, clothing, and haircuts. The deadline to donate is Friday, July 13. For more information, visit duetaz.org.
Lerner & Rowe Gives Back Backpack Giveaways
The nonprofit arm of Lerner & Rowe Injury Attorneys is handing out more than 5,000 free, supply-stuffed backpacks to Arizona students this summer, with stops across the state. Students must be present to receive a backpack, and bags go fast on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. The Arizona dates are July 9 in Mesa at Arizona Athletic Grounds (5 p.m., 750 bags); July 11 in Yuma at Yuma County Fairgrounds (2 p.m., 1,000 bags); July 13 in Tucson at Tucson Convention Center (4 p.m., 750 bags); and July 17 in Glendale at Desert Diamond Arena (4 p.m., 1,000 bags). The Valley stops add superhero appearances, a DJ, face painting, balloon twisting, free food trucks, and ice cream, with the Phoenix Raceway show car on hand and Phoenix Rescue Mission passing out food boxes at the Glendale event. For more information, visit lernerandrowe.com/free-backpacks.
D-backs and Honeywell Launch Back-to-School Backpack Program
The Arizona Diamondbacks have teamed up with Honeywell Aerospace Technologies on the Launch Back-to-School Backpack Program, distributing 3,000 free backpacks across the Valley throughout July. Each student takes home a backpack, a D-backs and Honeywell illustrated STEM storybook, and a D-backs pencil pouch stocked with pencils, highlighters, glue sticks, and more. The supplies are handed out at a series of community events: Cover Arizona Back-to-School Health Fair in Tolleson on July 11 (8 a.m. to noon); PHX Plays Back 2 School event in Phoenix on July 11 (10 a.m. to noon); Desert West Community Center event in Phoenix on July 18 (9 a.m. to noon); and a Community Bridges and Mesa Prevention Alliance event on July 25 (8 a.m. to noon, location to be announced). For more information, visit mlb.com/dbacks/community/honeywell.
Vineyard Church North Phoenix Back to School Giveaway
At its Glendale campus, Vineyard Church North Phoenix hosts an annual Back to School Giveaway with new backpacks, school supplies, and free sports physicals for families who need a hand. This year’s walk-thru event runs Saturday, July 18, from 8 to 9:30 a.m., with no registration required, though the school-age child receiving a backpack (kindergarten through 12th grade) must be present with a parent or guardian. Sports physicals for middle and high school students are first come, first served, so bring the form with pages one through five filled out. The line tends to be long and the event ends when supplies run out, so arriving early is smart. The giveaway takes place at 63rd Avenue and Peoria Avenue, a short drive from anywhere in Phoenix or Peoria, and the church also welcomes supply donations and volunteers ahead of the event. For more information, visit vineyardnorthphoenix.com/backtoschool.
Children’s Cancer Network Back-to-School Store
For Arizona families navigating a child’s cancer journey, Children’s Cancer Network opens a free Back-to-School Store where families can walk in and gather supplies for the year ahead. The Chandler store is open July 6 through July 9 and again on July 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., while supplies last. The store is located at 6150 W. Chandler Blvd. For more information, visit childrenscancernetwork.org.