12 ways to receive (or donate) school supplies in Pittsburgh

Photo above courtesy of The Education Partnership.

Shopping for back-to-school supplies in Pittsburgh can feel overwhelming: According to the National Retail Federation, families with kids in elementary through high school are likely to spend an average of $874.68 on clothing, shoes, school supplies and electronics this year.

Kids equipped with proper learning tools are better able to participate in class and can achieve more academically, say teachers involved with The Education Partnership. And kids who are prepared with supplies are more likely to finish homework assignments. Success also comes from the sense of confidence and positive self-esteem that develops when kids are prepared and ready to excel.

But the financial strain is real. Rising prices can make it difficult for parents to provide kids with their back-to-school needs.

Here’s one solution: Pittsburgh organizations continue to help by delivering back-to-school goods to kids who need them. Those who need can get donations, and more fortunate families can help the cause by shopping and donating supplies. You can get your own kids involved: Shopping for others is a terrific way for kids to develop empathy and a generous spirit. It’s a great project for the whole family.

All the organizations mentioned below can use help through Amazon Wish Lists and they offer volunteer opportunities, too.

(And Pennsylvania Promise for Children is inviting local families and friends of children from birth to kindergarten age to enter to win a back-to-school kit. Each kit will contain a copy of the 2024 PA One Book “Slug in Love” by Rachel Bright, as well as early learning materials. The deadline to enter is Aug. 30. Get details here.)

1. North Hills Community Outreach

North Hills Community Outreach helps families in the northern suburbs work through tough times, which include the back-to-school crunch. Last year, 889 kids received school supplies through the effort. The organization has spent the summer collecting and distributing new backpacks, notebooks, colored pencils, scissors, pencil boxes and other school supplies.

You can drop off school supply donations by Aug. 6 from 9 a.m.-noon at any of the three NHCO offices located in Allison Park, Greenstone United Methodist Church or Millvale Community Center.

To sign up to receive supplies, contact Vicki Burstynowicz by phone at 412-487-6316 (choose option 1, then extension 3143) or by email at vdburst@nhco.org.

School supplies will be given out by appointment:

• 3-6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7, at Greenstone Methodist Church, Avalon
• 1-3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12, at Millvale Community Center
• 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15, at the main office in Allison Park

Next up at NHCO: the Kid’s Coat Shop, running Sept. 3-Oct. 18. The organization will be collecting and handing out new winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves for kids from infants to 18-year-olds.

2. Bazzy & Bubba’s Backpack Brigade

Richard Bazzy and the Bubba Show from 100.7-FM Star radio will host the Bazzy & Bubba’s Backpack Brigade, an annual drive for school supplies. Over the past nine years, the team has collected over a half million dollars in school supplies for kids and teachers. Last year alone, the Brigade collected 2,565 backpacks, 9,636 pencils and $102,000 worth of school supplies. The Brigade teams up with the Education Partnership, Audacy and Shults Ford in the effort. If you’d like to help, your kids can collect school supplies, plus new or gently used backpacks, to drop off at Shults Ford in Wexford from 6 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9. Star 100.7 will be onsite broadcasting live throughout the day, so say hi when you drop off your donation. You’ll also find food trucks, along with music.

3. Orchard Hills Church Eleos Back-To-School Drive

Orchard Hill Church is partnering with local ministries to support families in need with backpacks and school supplies.

• The Wexford, Southpoint and Beaver locations, benefiting North Hills Community Outreach, request donations be delivered to individual church campuses daily through Aug. 11.
• The Strip District church, partnering with Pittsburgh Promise, requests donations to be dropped off daily through Aug. 11.
• The Butler location, partnering with Kids’ Weekend Backpack Program, asks for donations through Aug. 11.

  

4. Coraopolis Back 2 School Bash

Families are invited to enjoy a free day of activities including carnival-style games, fun foods, live entertainment, community information and resources. The best part? Kids will leave with a backpack full of school supplies. The 20th annual Back 2 School Bash, organized by Coraopolis Youth Creations, takes place from noon-3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, at Bliwas Field, 1009 1st St., Coraopolis. Last year’s Bash gave more than 400 backpacks to deserving kids. Volunteers are welcome to join the effort.

5. Source Church Pittsburgh Block Party and Backpack Giveaway

The annual Back-to-School Block Party and Backpack Giveaway will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, at Source Church Pittsburgh in West Mifflin. School supplies and 300 new backpacks will be provided to kids. The community festival includes games, crafts, food and a bounce house for more family fun. The fun is open for all, though registration for backpacks is required due to limited supplies. Want to volunteer? Sign up here.

6. South Hills Interfaith Movement

The caring folks at South Hills Interfaith Movement are preparing to help kids with school supplies in Pittsburgh. The organization has been providing food, clothing and services to people in need throughout the South Hills for more than 50 years. The organization has been collecting school supplies all summer long and will hold three back-to-school supply giveaways for families in Baldwin-Whitehall, Bethel Park, Keystone Oaks, Mt. Lebanon, South Park and Upper St. Clair school districts this month. If you’d like to help, donate here.

There is no registration necessary. The walk-up distribution dates are:

• 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, at SHIM Bethel Park, 5301 Park Ave., Bethel Park
• 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, at SHIM Family Center, 41 Macek Drive, South Hills
• 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Aug.  16, at SHIM Bethel Park, 5301 Park Ave., Bethel Park

  

7. Pittsburgh Public Schools

Thousands of Pittsburgh Public Schools families will head to the North Shore on Monday, Aug. 19, for the 12th annual #PittsburghForPPS. The back-to-school distribution will help equip kids to jump into the school year with all the resources they need for success. Families will receive book bags stuffed with supplies and food. No registration is required.

8. The Education Partnership

It’s all about the basics at The Education Partnership, which provides essential classroom items for kids and teachers in low-income districts throughout the seven-county region of Southwestern Pennsylvania. The organization’s impact supports 201 schools and has provided more than $65 million worth of school resources since 2011, reaching more than 374,000 kids.

A $25 donation will equip a student with supplies for the entire school year. You can collect, buy and donate school supplies at anytime during the year. You’re welcome to drop off donations from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays at The Education Partnership, 281 Corliss St., Pittsburgh, PA 15220.

The Education Partnership welcomes volunteers at their headquarters. Teens who are looking to log volunteer hours can arrange for Saturday hours during the school year.

9. Glade Run Lutheran Services

Glade Run Lutheran Services requests help to collect backpacks and other supplies for its annual Back-to-School Drive. Since its founding in 1854, Glade Run has evolved its mission to meet the challenging mental health and educational needs of families. In addition to standard school items like notebooks, markers and pencil cases, the organization is asking for personal hygiene products like toothbrushes, deodorant and body wash. To find the suggested list of items that struggling families need most, click here. Donations can be dropped off from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. by Monday, Aug. 12.

10. National Council of Jewish Women Pittsburgh

The National Council of Jewish Women Pittsburgh has advocated for families for over 125 years. The council partners with about 22 community agencies to identify kids with needs. Its Free Kids Clothing and Thriftique Voucher Program help throughout the year, as the seasons and family circumstances change. The effort helps underserved kids start school on an equal footing with their peers by “shopping” for new supplies and clothing at no cost. The experience allows kids in grades K-5 to begin the school year on a positive note.

11. Homeless Children’s Education Fund

Staff members and volunteers at the Homeless Children’s Education Fund collect and fill new backpacks with age-appropriate school supplies. They travel by school bus to deliver the goods to kids through partner organizations and agencies that focus on homeless housing. This year, the organization will deliver 3,311 backpacks through a partnership with Pittsburgh Steelers safety DeShon Elliott. Want to help? Contact the HCEF via email at info@homelessfund.org for donation drop-off details.

12. Foster Love Project

Foster Love Project supports foster kids and their caregivers. One of the organization’s programs is its annual Back2School distribution. More than 200 foster kids receive new, brand-name sneakers, sweatshirts and backpacks stuffed with goodies. Foster Love continues its work year-round and is glad to accept donations at any time.