Editor’s note: This story was originally published on July 30 and has been updated to remove past events and add new events.
It’s almost back-to-school time again, and organizations around Milwaukee are gearing up to give out school supplies and hundreds of backpacks.
Whether you’re just looking for a backpack and supplies, need haircuts and braiding or are in search of summer fun, check out these events.
Did we miss anything? Reach out to aklaus@milwaukeenns.org and we will add your event.
District 7 National Night Out: Monday, Aug. 10
Join Wellpoint Care Network, Safe & Sound and Milwaukee Police District 7 for a National Night Out and backpack and supplies giveaway at Lincoln Park, 1301 W. Hampton Ave., on Monday, Aug. 10 from 3 to 7 p.m. Children must be present and backpacks are given out first-come, first-served. More information here.
Wellpoint Care Network/ UMOS Backpack Distribution: Thursday, Aug. 13
Head to UMOS Inc., 2701 S. Chase Ave. on Thursday, Aug. 13 to receive a backpack filled with school supplies from 2 to 5 p.m. Backpacks are distributed first-come, first-served while supplies last. More information here.
A Day of Joy & Hope Community Celebration & Bookbag Giveaway: Thursday, Aug. 13
Our Daily Bread Community Outreach Center and Obama School of Career and Technical Education are hosting a free backpack giveaway at the school’s parking lot, 5075 N. Sherman Blvd., on Thursday, Aug. 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children must be present. More information here.
Wellpoint Care Network/ ROSS Innovative Employment Solutions Backpack Distribution: Friday, Aug. 14
Wellpoint Care Network is hosting another backpack giveaway at ROSS Innovative Employment Solutions, 7800 W. Brown Deer Road, on Friday, Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Backpacks with supplies are distributed first-come, first-served. More information here.
Back to School Fun Day: Saturday, Aug. 15
The group, Positive Women, is hosting its 16th annual celebration with a day of family, education and togetherness on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Picnic Areas 9 and 10 on North 40th Street at Washington Park. In addition to school supplies, organizers will have resources to help parents and students prepare for the next school year. More information here.
Third Annual Back to School Jam: Saturday, Aug. 15
Receive family support, resources and free backpacks filled with school supplies at Rocketship Southside Community Prep, 3003 W. Cleveland Ave., on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 11 a.m. More information here.
CH Mason Health Clinic Back 2 School Fest: Saturday, Aug. 15
CH Mason Health Clinic is giving out free backpacks and school supplies at the Institute for the Preservation of African American Music and Arts, 3200 W. Hampton Ave., on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 11 a.m. More information here.
Urban Youth Coalition Free Back-to-School Giveaway: Saturday, Aug. 15
Urban Youth Coalition is giving out 200 free backpacks with supplies, serving hot dogs and chips and hosting community vendors at Walker Square Park, 951 W. Mineral St., on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. More information here.
Back to School Book Bag Giveaway (Kern Park): Saturday, Aug. 15
Grab free school supplies and sensory bags at Kern Park, 3614 N. Humboldt Blvd., on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with Serenity Sensory Respite Care. More information here.
5th Annual Back to School Giveaway : Saturday, Aug. 15
Head to 3624 W. North Ave. on Saturday, August 15 from 2 to 5 p.m for free backpacks, school supplies, food and bounce houses with Exceptional Provisions Inc. and Pushing Potential Learning Center. More information here.
No Matter What A Global Ministry Backpack Giveaway: Sunday, Aug. 16
No Matter What a Global Ministry is giving backpacks to local students at 1615 S. 22nd St. on Sunday, Aug. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until supplies last. More information here.
10th Annual Stop the Violence Book Bag Giveaway & Car/Bike Show: Sunday, Aug. 16
Head to Smith Park, 5462 N. 33rd St., on Sunday, Aug. 16 from noon to 3 p.m. for free book bags and school supplies, new or gently used shoes, food, and a car and bike show. More information here.
Your Move MKE “Hip-Hoppin Back to School”: Sunday, Aug. 16
Your Move MKE is closing the street at South 12th and West Lapham to Mitchell Street on Sunday, Aug. 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Grab a backpack, free food, get your face painted or dance to a live DJ. More information here.
4th Annual Back-to-School Book Bag Giveaway: Sunday, Aug. 16
Beauty Palace Supercenter, 10202 W. Silver Spring Drive, is giving free hair cuts, braiding and giving out book bags on Sunday, Aug. 16 from noon to 6 p.m. More information here.
A Call for Peace Back to School Community Event: Saturday, Aug. 22
Head to Westlawn Community Gardens for free school supplies, games, prayer and more on Saturday, Aug. 22 from noon to 3 p.m. at 6213 W. Custer Ave. More information here.
AMC Back to School: Saturday, Aug. 22
Kids of all ages can get free school supplies and enter a backpack raffle at Apostolic Missionary Church-Milwaukee, 2686 S. 12th St. on Saturday, Aug. 22 at noon. More information here.
HeartLove Place’s 26th Annual Back to School Rally: Saturday, Aug. 22
Join HeartLove Place in the YWCA parking lot, 1915 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, on Saturday, August 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for free backpacks, school supplies and food. Pre-registration required. More information here.
Back to School Bash: Saturday, Aug. 22
Crossroads Church of God, 8001 W. Capitol Drive, is giving out free bookbags while supplies last on Saturday, Aug. 22 from noon to 3 p.m. More information here.
Magical Moment’s Back to School Event: Saturday, Aug. 22
Magical Moments Enrichment Center, 6831 W. Villard Ave., will give out 100 bookbags filled with school supplies on Saturday, Aug. 22 from noon to 4 p.m. Children must be present. More information here.
5th Annual Back to School Bash: Sunday, Aug. 23
Children’s Wisconsin and other health partners are hosting a back-to-school party with face painting, a DJ, health screenings, games, food, free backpacks and supplies and more. The bash will take place on Sunday, Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5370 W. Fond Du Lac. Ave.
Heal the Hood Block Party and Resource Fair: Saturday, Aug. 29
Heal the Hood MKE is hosting a Back to School Fair from N. 21 to N. 24th and Burleigh Streets on Saturday, Aug. 29 from noon to 6 p.m. The event will include free school supplies, free food, and other resources. More information here.
Next Generation Leaders Back to School Giveaway and Block Party: Sunday, Aug. 30
Grab free book bags, school supplies, hygiene products, clothes, shoes, and haircuts with Next Generational Leaders at 25th and West Burleigh Streets on Sunday, August 30 from noon to 5 p.m. More information here.
2026 Back to School Festival: Sunday, Aug. 30
The City of Milwaukee Aldermanic District 2 is hosting a 2026 Back to School Festival on Sunday, Aug. 30. It will feature health and wellness vendors, free food and activities, giveaways and more for families and students from noon to 4 p.m. at Indigenous Peoples’ Park, 7301 W. Courtland Ave. More information here.
Wellpoint Care Network Back-to-School Bash: Saturday, September 12
Celebrate Wellpoint Care Network’s 175th anniversary with free backpacks, school supplies, food and community resources at 8901 W. Capitol Dr. on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information here.
Alex Klaus is the education solutions reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and a corps member of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. Report for America plays no role in editorial decisions in the NNS newsroom.
Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.
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