Back to School Giveaway distributes backpacks filled with school supplies for Head Start -12th grade students from low income households. Free supplies for the first 1,500 kids.

GIVEAWAY LOCATION: the 15 DMARC Food Pantries around Polk County will have school supplies to hand out for the bash. Backpacks will be available at the food pantries starting Fall 2025.

Provides school supply assistance for low income families in August. Backpacks with school supplies will be handed out to all children, whose parents have signed up for distribution this month (applications available at the main office). Must have applications in by July 31, 2024.

Offers a Back to School Giveaway each August. The program provides free school supplies and backpacks to the K-12 students of the Ankeny Community School District and those who attend school in Ankeny. For giveaway dates and location, or to inquire about donating, please contact Ankeny Schools Community Engagement department at 515-289-3960.

Giveaway location: Prairie Ridge Middle School 1010 NW Prairie Ridge Drive, Ankeny, IA 50023

Offers school supplies for students in school.

School backpack and supply distribution for grades pre-K-12. Proof of school enrollment for each child is required, regardless of location.

For 2024, distribution is Friday, August 9th through Saturday, August 10th at the following locations:

-- The Salvation Army Renaissance Village Campus (3612 Cuming Street, Omaha) - August 9th-10th at 9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-3 pm, or until supplies have been exhausted. Walk-up distribution only; backpacks will be distributed in the gymnasium.

-- The Salvation Army Kroc Center (2825 Y Street, Omaha) - August 9th-10th at 9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-3 pm, or until supplies have been exhausted. Walk-up distribution only. Enter the Kroc Center campus off of 27th Street (on the east end of the property).

-- Westroads Mall (10000 California Street, Omaha) - August 10th at 10 am-1 pm, or until supplies have been exhausted. Drive-thru distribution only. The distribution will take place in the mall's northeast parking lot, just north of JC Penney.

Provides back-to-school supplies to youth in need that live within the McHenry County area.

Clothe a Child Program offers school clothes in August.

Heart and Soles Program offers shoes for school in August.

Rides of Love Ministry offers rides to medical and mental health appointments.

Heart of Christmas Program provides Christmas needs in early December.

For Christmas 2024:

Heart of Christmas is Sat, Dec 7th, from 10 am-11 am, held at the Faith Church in Rock Valley, IA. Provides a Christmas store for children ages 3-11, and parents pay $5 per child to choose and wrap a gift. The store closes at 10:30 am, so parents must arrive before that time.

This also qualifies parents to receive a holiday meal kit, and families who had flood damage to their homes can receive a 4-foot lighted Christmas tree. Children enter the Christmas Carnival area with a variety of games and decorate Christmas cookies. There is an interactive retelling of the Christmas story.

Parents must register by Nov 22. Register online at www.loveincsiouxcounty.org or call (712) 476-5990. No registration needed for Christmas Carnival. (All children must be accompanied by an adult at the event.)

Back to School Bash offers free school supplies for students, grades K-12, that are in need (while supplies last).

For the 2024-25 school year, the Back to School Bash will be held at the John R. Grubb YMCA, located at 1611 11th Street, on Aug 18th, from 2 pm-5 pm. The Bash also provides entertainment such as a sports jamboree, local entertainment, barber and beauty shops and a community resource fair.

School backpack and supply distribution for grades pre-K-12. Proof of school enrollment for each child is required, regardless of location.

For 2024, distribution is Friday, August 9th through Saturday, August 10th at the following locations:

-- The Salvation Army Renaissance Village Campus (3612 Cuming Street, Omaha) - August 9th-10th at 9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-3 pm, or until supplies have been exhausted. Walk-up distribution only; backpacks will be distributed in the gymnasium.

-- The Salvation Army Kroc Center (2825 Y Street, Omaha) - August 9th-10th at 9 am-12 pm and 1 pm-3 pm, or until supplies have been exhausted. Walk-up distribution only. Enter the Kroc Center campus off of 27th Street (on the east end of the property).

-- Westroads Mall (10000 California Street, Omaha) - August 10th at 10 am-1 pm, or until supplies have been exhausted. Drive-thru distribution only. The distribution will take place in the mall's northeast parking lot, just north of JC Penney.