Going back to school does not have break the bank. Local organizations in San Joaquin County and Stanislaus County are participating in backpack drives and giveaways to help disadvantaged students in their area.
Schools in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties will be coming back into session in the next month. Whether residents intend to drop-off school supplies for kids in need or pick-up school supplies, they'll have a great chance to participate in their local community backpack drives.
San Joaquin County Backpack Drives, Giveaways
1. San Joaquin Department of Child Support Services Block party
- The San Joaquin Department of Child Support Services will be having their 3rd annual block party on Aug. 2, 2018 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event will be held at University Park at Magnolia and California Street.
- Guests in attendance will be entered in a drawing to win backpacks filled with school supplies.
2. Stockton Kings “Stuff the Bus”
- To donate backpacks, notebooks, planners, pens, pencils, highlighters, binders, paper, and Master Locks for lockers find drop-off boxes at Lincoln Center restaurants like Artesian Natural Foods, Best Wishes, Café Rio, and more. Drive continues until July 21.
- Donations go to pre-selected students from Gospel Center Rescue Mission and select participating teenagers from Lord’s Gym City Center.
3. Cali Braids Back 2 School Backpack Giveaway
- Free basic braids and free haircuts between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. School supplies will be distributed to kids getting service on August 12 at Cali Braids, located 1728 Main Street in Stockton.
4. Tracy Interfaith Ministries
- Drop-off donations needed are backpacks, paper, binders, notebooks, and portfolios. Donations can be made 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1026 B Street.
5. Summer Drive for School Supplies for kids in foster care in Manteca Unified
- Molly Dua, a Manteca Unified School District student, is working with Agape Villages Foster Family Agency to provide school supplies to foster kids.
- Texas Roadhouse will be barbecuing in the parking lot of Agape Villages Office, located 572 Commerce Street in Manteca. School supplies can be dropped off and a chicken breast or pulled pork meal will cost $13. The event begins on July 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
6. “Stuff the Cruiser” Backpack Drive, Tracy Family Resource Center and Tracy Police Department
- Drop-off will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 21 to 22, located at 3010. W Grant Line Road in Tracy.
Stanislaus County Backpack Drives, Giveaways
7. Stanislaus County Operation Backpack
- Visit this link to make a donation or visit Sutter Gould Medical Foundation in Turlock or Modesto, Mocse Credit Union in Turlock or Modesto, Alfred Matthews Cadillac GMC Buick, any Prime Shine Carwash in Stanislaus County, or the Stanislaus County Office of Education to drop off specific supplies.
- Contact the local school district liaison if you have or know of a child in need.
8. “Welcome Back to School Backpack Giveaway,” City of Modesto Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department and Modesto City Schools Student, Parent and Community Support Services
- This event features an evening with health, safety, and community resource information from many agencies and organizations. It will also feature entertainment, guest speakers, and children’s activities. A backpack giveaway will be featured with estimates. Parents must be present with children.
- Located at Marshall Park, 440 Sutter Avenue in Modesto from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on August 3.
9. Modesto Gospel Mission "Back to School" Block Party
- Free: new shoes, haircuts, identity kits, crafts, lunch, games, and more. More info here.
- Event occurs July 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Modesto Gospel Mission Youth Center, 1400 Yosemite Blvd. in Modesto.
10. Downtown Turlock Gives Back
- Backpack supply Drive Thru in 10 East Parking Lot in Turlock.
- Accepting drop-offs of paper, binders, pencils, colored pencils, highlighters, notebooks, folders to fill 1,000 backpacks on August 3, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Supplies will be given to the City of Turlock, United Samaritans, and Westside Ministries. To be potentially be added to a list to receive a backpack and supplies email Molly Amant with the Turlock Downtown Property Owner's Association at admin@turlockdowntown.com.
