Here’s where students can get free school supplies ahead of the 2025-26 year

Source: Courier Journal

Summer break for Jefferson County students is coming to an end with school starting in a couple of weeks. To help students get ready for the year, which begins Thursday, Aug. 7 for Jefferson County Public School students, and connect with resources for students and families, numerous schools and organizations are holding school supply giveaways for those in need.

Students must be present to receive supplies. Quantities are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Supplies are free and vary at each site. For more information: louisvilleky.gov/government/neighborhood-place/programs-and-events, unless noted.

Other schools returning in the coming weeks include New Albany-Floyd County district returning on Wednesday, July 30, Greater Clark County on Thursday, July 31, and the Archdiocese of Louisville and Bullitt County on Tuesday, Aug. 12 and Oldham County on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Here are some events, in date order, where you can get free school supplies ahead of the 2025-26 school season.

Free school supply events in Louisville:

July 19

• Valley High School. 10200 Dixie Highway, 9-11 a.m. Drive thru event.

• Theta Omega Center. 2422 W. Chestnut St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free food, produce and giveaways.

• Newburg Apostolic Church. 4817 E. Indian Trail, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free food, health fair and prize drawings.

• Kingdom Fellowship Christian Life Center, 324 E. Broadway, 11 a.m. until supplies are gone.

July 26

• Hazelwood Elementary School. 1325 Bluegrass Ave., 9-11 a.m.

• Hikes Point Church. 2601 Hikes Lane, 9-11:30 a.m. Free breakfast.

• Westport Middle School. 8100 Westport Road, 9-11 a.m. Drive-thru event.

• Kindergarten Ready Fest at McFerran Academy. 1900 S. Seventh St., 10 a.m. to noon. Supplies for kindergarten students only.

July 31

• Academy at Shawnee. 4001 Herman St., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Aug. 2

• Lighthouse Academy at Newburg. 5312 Shepherdsville Road, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free school and sport physicals.

• First Gethsemane Center for Family Development. 1221 First Gethsemane Ave., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Meyzeek Middle School. 828 S. Jackson St., noon to 3 p.m.

Aug. 3

• New Birth Church at Cane Run Elementary School. 3951 Cane Run Road, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free haircuts.

More Back to School events in the Louisville area:

July 12

Back 2 School Bash. Brighter Day Anderson Temple C.O.G.I.C, 1755 E. Eighth St., Jeffersonville, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. School supplies, heath fair, arts and crafts, bounce house, music, free food, free haircuts, face painting, door prizes and more. Students 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. eventbrite.com.

July 14-15

Hope Southern Indiana Back to School Supply Pick Up for Floyd Co. Elementary and Middle Schoolers. 1200 Bono Rd., door A on the back of the building. Two dates: Monday, July 14, from 12 to 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday, July 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring your student’s classroom supply list. All items may not be available.

July 18

Back to School Bash. Chestnut Street Family YMCA, 930 W. Chestnut St., 3-6 p.m. Free school supplies and food while supplies last, also games and bouncy house. ymcalouisville.org/events/back-school-bash.

July 19

Back to School Community Health Fair. Community Action of Southern Indiana, 201 E. 15th St., Jeffersonville, 9 a.m. to noon. Get your family ready for the new school year with free backpacks and school supplies, blood pressure checks, lipid tests, dental screenings, immunizations, train rides, more than 40 community vendors and free food (sponsored by Dare to Care). Children have to be present to receive supplies. For more information, contact Pam Clark at pclark@casi1.org or 812-288-6451, ext. 2135.

Aug. 2

Algonquin Pool Back to School Bash and Community Day. Algonquin Park & Pool, 1614 Cypress Street, Louisville KY 40211. 12 to 5 p.m. Backpacks filled with school supplies, vendors, kids activity zone, free entry to the pool for 600 people.

3rd Annual Hammer’s Back to School Backpack Giveaway: Backpack, Soccer & Smiles. Lynn Family Stadium, 350 Adams St., 3 to 5 p.m. Backpacks filled with essential school supplies. Attendees will also receive free tickets to the Louisville City FC vs. North Carolina FC match that evening (gates open at 7 p.m. and kickoff is at 8 p.m.). Presented by Isaacs & Isaacs Personal Injury Lawyers, in partnership with Stock Yards Bank and Lynn Family Stadium. wewin.com/2025-hammers-backpack-giveaway-3rd-annual-back-to-school-backpack-giveaway.

Aug. 3

Malibu Jack's Louisville Backpack and School Supplies Giveaway. 1915 S. Hurstbourne Parkway, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free backpack, school supplies, pizza and drinks while supplies last. Students 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. eventbrite.com.