News Summary
New York City is stepping up to help families struggling with back-to-school costs. New York Cares is organizing an event to provide free backpacks and school supplies to students. On August 14, hundreds of volunteers will pack 14,000 backpacks and 400 teacher kits at the Salvation Army Harlem Temple. The effort is part of a larger campaign to raise funds and support ongoing educational programs for students throughout the year. The initiative is designed to relieve financial pressure on families and educators alike during this critical time.
New York City is launching a significant initiative to assist families facing challenges with the back-to-school season, particularly regarding the rising costs of school supplies. According to a recent survey conducted by Intuit Credit Karma, approximately 40% of parents reported that they cannot afford essential school supplies for their children.
In response to these concerns, New York Cares is organizing a large-scale event on Thursday, August 14, aimed at providing free backpacks and school supplies to students. The event will take place at the Salvation Army Harlem Temple Corps Community Center, located at 540 Lenox Avenue, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. At this event, hundreds of volunteers will work together to pack 14,000 backpacks and 400 teacher kits, ensuring that public school students and teachers across all five boroughs receive the necessary materials for the upcoming school year.
The backpacks will contain essential school supplies including scissors, markers, pencils, glue sticks, folders, crayons, and erasers. These supplies are not only vital for students’ academic success but also address the financial strain many families face during the back-to-school season.
This backpack distribution initiative is part of New York Cares’ sixth annual Stand with Students campaign, which aims to raise $400,000 and provide a total of 20,000 backpacks. Additionally, the campaign extends beyond the initial giveaway; New York Cares plans to implement ongoing educational programs and support throughout the academic year to assist students in furthering their education.
Recognizing the need for support among educators, the teacher kits packed during the event will be distributed directly to teachers, many of whom frequently use their own funds to purchase classroom supplies. This initiative aims to alleviate some of the financial burdens that educators face while preparing their classrooms for students.
Alongside New York Cares, the New York Restoration Project (NYRP) is also contributing to the back-to-school efforts by holding free supply giveaways at various community gardens throughout NYC. These events will feature complimentary backpacks filled with school supplies for children, reinforcing the community-driven support aimed at assisting families in need.
The supply giveaways at NYRP gardens will begin on Sunday, August 10, and will continue throughout the month of August. It’s important to note that children must be present to receive the supplies, which will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
NYRP, founded in 1995 by Bette Midler, focuses on creating and maintaining public green spaces in underserved neighborhoods, thereby contributing to community well-being. The organization has planned ten upcoming backpack giveaway events across various locations in Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. Specific dates and locations for these events include:
- Aug. 16: Glover Street Community Garden (Castle Hill, The Bronx)
- Aug. 17: 50 Cent Community Garden (Jamaica, Queens)
- Aug. 22: Essex Street Community Garden (Cypress Hills, Brooklyn)
- Aug. 23: McLeod’s Community Garden (Brownsville, Brooklyn)
- Aug. 23: Los Amigos Community Garden (East Harlem, Manhattan)
- Aug. 29: Bed-Stuy Community Garden (Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn)
- Aug. 30: Target Bronx Community Garden (Highbridge, The Bronx)
- Aug. 30: Creston Avenue Playground (Fordham, The Bronx)
- Aug. 31: Eastchester Road Community Garden (Eastchester, The Bronx)
For families seeking assistance, further details regarding the backpack giveaways can be obtained via email, and families are encouraged to register for specific events to ensure availability. This initiative serves as a vital resource, providing essential support to families as they prepare for a successful school year ahead.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- New York Family: Free Backpacks & School Supplies for NYC Students
- Wikipedia: Back to School
- Patch: Get Free School Supplies in NYC
- Google Search: Back to School Supplies Initiative NYC
- PIX11: Free Backpack and School Supply Giveaways in NYC
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- QNS: New York Restoration Project School Supplies Giveaways
- Google News: Free School Supplies NYC 2025
- Mommy Poppins: Best Back to School Supplies List
- Google Scholar: School Supplies Funding
- Harlem World Magazine: United Way Backpack Drive
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
