Did you know there are a number of community events giving away free school supplies in Upstate, SC?
Do you know of a family who needs help purchasing school supplies this year? A new school year is almost upon us. For most families a trip to the store for new supplies is imminent. These events will distribute free back-to-school supplies, so you have one less thing to worry about this school year!
A recent study revealed that most families of school-age children in the US spend between $500-700 on new school supplies. This amounts to a whopping estimated 80.7 billion dollars! That’s a lot of composition notebooks!
This list is currently being updated for 2026 as we receive information.
How Do I Get Free School Supplies for My Kids?
Some Upstate families struggle to make ends meet, and the added burden of school supply lists is often more than they can afford. Typically when families can’t afford to send the proper tools to school, heroic teachers wind up closing the gap with their own money. For this reason, communities have begun stepping up to the plate and offering families necessities at these free school supply drives.
These are often given away at fun events so that children don’t feel stigmatized. Some events also giveaway a cook-out-style lunch, have live music, and even things like bounce houses. One of the easiest ways to get free school supplies for your kids is to look for these events in your area. Many are held at human service departments or local churches. Below you will free school supply events in Upstate, SC counties. Once you get your supplies, you will be able to look at what your child’s school requires and make a few marks on your checklist.
2026 FREE School Supplies Events Near Greenville, SC
We’ve compiled a list of local groups holding these types of events and will continue to update the list as more are announced.
Back to School Giveaway
Capstone Church – 601 Fairview St Fountain Inn, SC
Annual event — July 25th, 2026 11 am – 2 pm.
Free school supplies, backpacks, games, and food.
Back to School Giveaway
Carolina Family Services 10th Annual Backpack Giveaway
Carolina Family Services, 17 Memorial Medical Drive, Greenville
Saturday, July 25, 2026, 8:30 – 10:30 am (rain date Sunday, July 26)
A free, first-come, first-served drive-through backpack giveaway for local students.
Carolina Family Services’ 10th Annual Backpack Giveaway
Free Backpack Giveaway at TCC (School Rocks Backpack Giveaway)
8 TCC Verizon locations across the Upstate
Sunday, July 26, 2026, 1 pm, while supplies last
Free Backpack Giveaway
Children in need of school supplies can pop into any one of 8 Upstate TCC Verizon Stores for a backpack and school supplies. One backpack is available per child while supplies last. The participating locations are:
- 5008b Old Spartanburg Road, Taylors
- 2007 Augusta Street, Greenville
- 2603 Woodruff Road, Simpsonville
- 3550 Highway 153, Greenville
- 2098 East Main Street, Duncan
- 2190 Southport Road, Spartanburg
- 127618 Mile Road, Central
- 1708 East Greenville Street, Anderson
- 40 Krieger Drive Ste A, Travelers Rest
GVL School Supply Party
Kroc Center, 424 Westfield St, Greenville
Thursday, July 30, 2026 5 – 7 pm
A free family block party hosted by Greenville School Supply (The Greenville Collective) with school supplies given away per child present (first-come, first-served), plus bounce houses and food. Greenville School Supply
Back to School & Community Resource Bash
Greenville Elks Lodge, 7700 Pelham Road, Greenville
Annual event — Saturday, August 1st, 2026 starting at 10 am till supplies last
Free back to school items, food, games. Open to the public.
BTS & Community Resource Giveaway
United Way School Tools
Carolina High School, 2725 Anderson Road, Greenville
Saturday, August 1, 2026 (see United Way’s page for distribution hours)
This free school supply giveaway will include free school supplies and backpacks given to students, information on assistance programs and free and low-cost after-school activities, free food, and music.
United Way School Tools Day
Back to School Supply Drive
Mauldin Cultural Center, 101 E Butler Rd, Mauldin
Annual event — 2026 date not yet announced (as of July 2026).
Free school supplies, games, refreshments, and prizes.
Back to School Book Bag Give-a-way
Easley, SC- Getty’s Middle School
Sunshine Gantt Ministries and Caring And Nurturing
Annual event — TBA end of July 2026 per their Facebook Post .
The event is FREE and includes a first-come-first-served backpack giveaway, filled with school supplies. There will also be free bounce houses, food, music, and more.
Pack Your Bags Picnic + Backpack Giveaway
Woodruff Road Christian Church, 20 Bell Road, Greenville
Annual event — 2026 date not yet announced (as of July 2026).
Pack Your Bags Picnic with free school supplies, a free picnic, and more. Students must have adults in attendance.
Greenville’s Noble Market Back to School Drive
Noble Dog Hotel, Hampton Station, Greenville
Annual event — 2026 date not yet announced (as of July 2026).
In addition to their monthly market, this market will feature a back-to-school drive with school supplies for children in need. Supplies are limited, so go early if you are in need.
2026 Free School Supplies Events Near Spartanburg, SC
First Choice by Select Health “Jump Start” Back to School
Spartanburg, SC
Runs July–August 2026, while supplies last.
First Choice’s Jump-Start Back-to-School program provides free backpacks filled with school supplies for students in grades K–12 at participating South Carolina locations each July and August. Specific 2026 Spartanburg dates and sites had not been posted as of July 2026 — see the Jump-Start Back-to-School program page for details.
First Choice South Carolina Facebook
2026 Free School Supplies Events in Anderson County
ASD1 Back to School Bash 2026
Families with students in Anderson School District One are invited to the ASD1 Back to School Bash 2026 on Monday, July 27, 2026, from 5–7 pm at Palmetto Middle School in Williamston. This free community event includes school supply giveaways (while supplies last), fun activities for kids, community resource tables, and wellness information to help families get ready for the new school year. AnMed’s Emergency Department – Piedmont, mental health services, and other community partners will also be on hand with resources and support for students and families.
Back to School Bash 2026
Get your family ready for the new school year at the Back to School Bash 2026! Head to Anderson Mall on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 3–6 pm for this free community event featuring a backpack giveaway (while supplies last), free haircuts for students, and a resource fair connecting families with helpful local organizations. It’s a fun and practical way to kick off the school year and make sure students head back to class prepared.
More School Supply Events: From our calendar
| Date/Time | Event | |
|---|---|---|
July 14, 2026
10:00 am - 11:00 am |
Stories & Adventures
at Edward R Driggers City Of Greer Center for the Arts, Greer SC |
|
July 25, 2026
8:30 am - 10:30 am |
Carolina Family Services 10th Annual Backpack Giveaway
at Carolina Family Services, Greenville SC |
|
July 25, 2026
8:30 am - 10:30 am |
Carolina Family Services' 10th Annual Backpack Giveaway
at Carolina Family Services, Greenville SC |
|
July 25, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Egypt's 2nd Annual Bookbag Giveaway
at Unity Park, Greenville SC |
|
July 25, 2026
11:00 am - 2:00 pm |
Back to School Fair
at Capstone Church, Fountain Inn SC |
|
July 27, 2026
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm |
ASD1 Back to School Bash 2026
at Palmetto Middle School, Williamston SC |
|
| 🆓 | July 30, 2026
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm |
Block Party
at Kroc Center, Greenville SC |
July 31, 2026
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm |
Back to School Bash 2026
at Anderson Mall, Anderson SC |
|
August 1, 2026
9:00 am - 2:00 pm |
School Tools
at Carolina High School, Greenville SC |
|
| 🆓 | August 1, 2026
10:00 am - 1:00 pm |
Back-to-School Bash- Mauldin Methodist Church
at Mauldin Methodist Church, 100 E Butler Road, Mauldin SC |
Free School Supplies in Greenville, SC: FAQs
How can I get free school supplies in Greenville, SC?
Local nonprofits, churches, and community groups host free back-to-school giveaways each summer where families can pick up backpacks filled with supplies. Watch the events listed above and the live calendars on this page, and check each organizer’s page for current dates.
When are back-to-school supply giveaways held in the Upstate?
Most take place in mid-to-late July and early August, in the weeks right before the new school year begins.
Do I need to register or pay?
These events are free. Most distribute supplies first-come, first-served while supplies last and typically do not require registration — many give one backpack per child present.
We hope this info helps every child in the Upstate to get off to a wonderful new school year!
It’s Time for Back to School!
Check out our Ultimate Back to School Guide to help ease the transition from summer to school!
How can I find how to donate to these organizations?
You can contact them directly.
Where can I get free backpack in Greenville Texas
You’ll have to look that up in your hometown. This is Greenville, South Carolina.