Where to Give—and Where to Receive—School Supplies in Kansas City

At the end of July, the school-supply aisle becomes a map of the year ahead: blunt scissors, washable markers, wide-rule notebooks and a backpack still flat from the box.

For some families, that cart costs more than the rest of the week allows. Across Kansas City, schools, churches, nonprofits, neighborhood groups and local businesses are filling the gap before the first bell rings.

This Local Guide separates two different needs: where the community can give, and where families can receive supplies. Programs that explicitly include preschool or early-childhood students are marked PRESCHOOL INCLUDED.

Updated July 28, 2026. Registration can close and supplies can run out. Confirm the organizer’s current instructions before leaving home.

WHERE YOU CAN GIVE

Supplies, money and volunteer time are all in demand.

FOX4 Love Fund for Children + KCPS

Backpack collections must be completed by Wednesday, July 29. The campaign is also accepting sponsorships and volunteers for KCPS Fest on Saturday, August 1, with a goal of supplying 5,000 Kansas City Public Schools students and up to 1,400 additional children across the metro.

ScrapsKC Community Back-to-School Drive

The drive runs through August 31. Donors can host a collection, contribute through an online drive, give money or volunteer to sort and package supplies. Current high-priority items include tape, red pens, glue sticks, index cards, calculators, pencil boxes, folders, washable markers, composition books, mechanical pencils, watercolor palettes and multilingual learning resources.

Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council

New supplies are accepted through August 5 at the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Center, 3700 Woodland Avenue. The requested list includes backpacks, notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers, crayons, markers, rulers, scissors, binders, folders, calculators and glue sticks. Financial donations and event volunteers are also needed.

The Way Church KC

The church is accepting backpacks, supplies, financial gifts and volunteers for its August 8 outreach at 4326 Lloyd Street in Kansas City, Kansas. Donations support backpacks, classroom basics, breakfast, haircuts, vision screenings and physicals.

Community Services League

A $50 gift provides one student with a new backpack, essential supplies and shoes. Churches, businesses and neighborhood groups can host collection drives, and volunteers are needed to sort supplies, pack backpacks and prepare shoes for the August fair.

Replenish KC — Park Hill

Community-partner drop-offs continue through August 8. Sunday drop-offs are scheduled August 2 and August 9 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Park Hill High School, 7701 NW Barry Road. A $30 online contribution funds a complete grade-level supply set, and volunteers can help with the August 9 Big Sort.

North Kansas City Schools “Stuff the Bus”

On Friday, August 7, shoppers can buy supplies at the Gladstone Walmart and place them on the North Kansas City Schools bus outside. The district foundation is also raising funds for supplies, backpacks, clothing and hygiene items.

Olathe Municipal Court Supply Campaign

Through August 4, eligible drivers can bring at least $15 in new school supplies and the receipt to Olathe Municipal Court, 1200 S. Harrison Street, for a credit of up to $50 toward qualifying traffic or parking fines. The supplies support more than 2,500 backpacks for Olathe students.

The Big Biscuit “Stuff the Bus”

New, unused school supplies are accepted at Kansas City-area Big Biscuit locations through August 16. Donations stay with the school district connected to the collection location.

Lee’s Summit Social Services — PRESCHOOL INCLUDED

The annual program serves children from Pre-K through senior year. Supporters can shop the organization’s wishlist, host a supply drive or volunteer during the back-to-school store. Donations fund school-specific supplies, clothing and shoes for children in the service area.

FosterAdopt Connect

Supporters can shop and ship supplies, drop off donations at the Independence office during weekday business hours or start a fundraiser for foster and adoptive children. Registration for the August 1 pickup is closed, but giving remains open.

Cargo for Kids

Cargo for Kids accepts donations for backpacks filled with school supplies and hygiene products distributed through the Independence School District.

Wyandotte County Back-to-School & Health Fair

Organizers are accepting volunteers and sponsors for the August 1 fair at HomeField KCK. Community support helps fund backpacks, supplies, haircuts, sports physicals and family services.

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WHERE FAMILIES CAN RECEIVE SUPPLIES

Check eligibility, registration and residency rules before traveling. Many events distribute items only while supplies last.

KCKPS School-Building Distribution — PRESCHOOL INCLUDED

All enrolled Early Childhood through 12th-grade students in Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools will receive grade-appropriate supplies directly from their school buildings. Families should contact the child’s school for the distribution plan.

Lee’s Summit Social Services — PRESCHOOL INCLUDED

Children from Pre-K through senior year who live within the organization’s service area can apply. Each enrolled child receives a backpack with school-specific supplies, a new outfit, socks, underwear and shoes. The back-to-school store runs through August 14.

Ivanhoe Backpack Giveaway — AGES 4–16

Saturday, August 8, from 10 a.m. to noon at 3700 Woodland Avenue. Children must attend with a parent or guardian and complete an activity. Backpacks and supplies are first come, first served.

Wyandotte County Back-to-School & Health Fair

Saturday, August 1, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at HomeField KCK, 9250 State Avenue. Families can receive backpacks, school supplies and haircuts; sports physicals are also available. Services are free and first come, first served while supplies and appointment capacity last.

KCPS Fest 2026

Saturday, August 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at East High School, 1924 Van Brunt Boulevard. Kansas City Public Schools families can receive free backpacks and supplies through a drive-through line. Registration uses one-hour pickup windows, with optional immunizations, dental screenings and sports physicals available on site.

Operation Backpack

Saturday, August 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Swope Park, entering at 67th Street and Swope Parkway. The drive-through event is for Kansas City, Missouri, residents only; no walk-ups are permitted. Backpacks, school supplies, tablets, hot spots, books and other items are available while supplies last.

The Way Church KC — YOUNG CHILDREN WELCOME

Saturday, August 8, from 9 a.m. to noon at 4326 Lloyd Street in Kansas City, Kansas. The free community event offers backpacks, school supplies, breakfast, haircuts, eye exams and physicals. Pre-registration helps organizers prepare, but walk-ins are welcome.

Center School District Back-to-School Bash

Saturday, August 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Center High School. Center School District families can access a resource fair, food, games, giveaways, registration help, vaccinations and opportunities to meet school principals.

Guadalupe Centers Back-to-School Drive

Saturday, August 8. Families can receive free school supplies, haircuts, food and additional support. Advance registration is requested so organizers can prepare the correct number of backpacks; confirm the current time and location through Guadalupe Centers before traveling.

Community Services League Back-to-School Fair

Saturday, August 22, at Cable Dahmer Arena, 19100 E. Valley View Parkway in Independence. Pre-registered Independence and Fort Osage district families can receive a backpack, school supplies, socks and new tennis shoes. Supplies are reserved for registered students, though the broader resource fair is open to attendees.

DNA Community Center

Sunday, August 16, in Independence. Registered families can receive backpacks, supplies, haircuts and hair braiding. Registration is required; confirm the pickup instructions with the organizer.

Lee’s Summit Community Churches Back-to-School Bash — K–12 ONLY

Friday, August 14, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Bernard Campbell Middle School, 1201 NE Colbern Road. The event offers supplies, clothing, food and haircuts. There is no income or residency requirement and no advance registration, but the child must attend. Preschool students are not eligible.

North Kansas City Schools Community Resource Fair

Thursday, August 27, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at 6465 N. Prospect Avenue in Gladstone. Families can access immunizations, vision and hearing screenings, meal-program and Medicaid enrollment help, fresh produce, books, bike-safety resources and community support. Services and supplies may be limited.

Before You Go

• Register even when an event also accepts walk-ins.

• Bring identification and proof of residency when eligibility is location-based.

• Check whether the child must be present to receive supplies.

• Arrive early when items are distributed first come, first served.

• Call the school district or organizer when preschool eligibility is unclear.

WHY IT STILL MATTERS

The small things on these lists are ordinary: glue sticks, socks, a ruler, a sharpened pencil. On the first morning of school, ordinary is exactly what a child should be able to count on.

Source Desk

Information was verified against current 2026 announcements from Kansas City Public Schools, Kansas City Kansas Public Schools, the City of Kansas City, the KCK Foundation for Excellence, ScrapsKC, Community Services League, Lee’s Summit Social Services, Replenish KC, The Way Church KC, FosterAdopt Connect, KCUR and KCTV5.

Cover photo: cottonbro studio / Pexels.