Where to Find School Supplies in the Community – Summer 2019

Schoolhouse Supplies relies on classroom teachers, schools and school districts to distribute school supplies. We do not provide school supplies directly to families or case managers at social service agencies. If you need school supplies, here is information about how supplies are distributed by Schoolhouse Supplies and other community programs. (Note, these are only the programs we know about, please let us know about other resources we can share.)

Schoolhouse Supplies

Portland Public Schools: All students at the following schools will received a backpack and school supplies the first week of school: Boise-Eliot, Cesar Chavez, Faubion, Harrison Park, Kelly, MLK, Lent, Marysville, Rigler, Rosa Parks, Scott, Vestal, Whiteman, Woodlawn and Woodmere. School offices will have supplies for students who enroll later.

– Additionally, Schoolhouse Supplies will provide/provided backpacks and supplies to the offices at Roseway Heights, Lee and Sitton.

David Douglas School District:  All students at the following schools will received a backpack and school supplies just before the first day of school: Earl Boyles. The school office will have supplies for students who enroll later.

Parkrose School District: All students at the following schools will receive/received a backpack and school supplies on the first day of school: Prescott. The school office will have supplies for students who enroll later.

Reynolds School District: All students at the following schools will receive/received a backpack and school supplies on or around the first day of school: Davis, Glenfair and Hartley. School offices will have supplies for students who enroll later.

– Additionally, Schoolhouse Supplies will provide/provided backpacks and supplies to the office at Wilkes.

Hillsboro School District: All students at the following schools will receive/received a backpack and school supplies before or on the first day of school: W Verne McKinney, WL Henry and Lincoln Street.

KGW School Supply Drive with Schoolhouse Supplies

School supplies stay in the community where the supplies were donated. PPS, Parkrose, Reynolds and David Douglas School District supplies are distributed through the Free Store for Teachers. All others are distributed through the respective school district.  Here is a list of districts that received supplies in 2018. 2019 distributions will be known in September.

I Heart Rockwood

Saturday, August 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Nadaka Nature Park, 17615 NE Glisan. A free community festival for all ages. Rock the Block and the Nadaka Community Festival combine to present “I Heart Rockwood.” This full day of entertainment, activities, community resources and giveaways, includes: live performances all day, food, haircuts, school supplies, medical and dental check-ups and a forest scavenger hunt. Hosted by Rockwood Preparatory Academy and Friends of Nadaka. For more information visit Friends of Nadaka or call 503-702-0739. 

Community Transitional School

We are sorry, we do not have information about this year’s backpack giveaway.

Grauer Back-to-School Project

This event is over but extra backpacks and supplies were provided to the offices at Wilson and each of the elementary and middle schools that feed into Wilson.

The Grauer Back-to-School project is now in its 18th year of providing SW Neighborhood students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch programs, with brand new clothing and backpacks filled with school supplies. This event is open to children who meet this eligibility requirement, and are in grades K through 12 and are currently enrolled in schools whose students will attend Wilson High School when graduating from elementary school. This annual event is a collaboration of several non-profit groups and local church organizations, and was started by the Grauer family of St. Luke Lutheran Church.

This year the event will again be held at St. Luke Lutheran Church on Saturday, August 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The church is located at 4595 SW California Street, Portland, OR 97219.

Registration will be held on Friday, August 9th at St. Luke Lutheran Church from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. At registration, children (who must be accompanied by a parent or guardian), will be asked to show proof that they live in the district (a utility bill), and proof of the school they attend (a report card or student card). This information will not be recorded or passed on to anyone else. It is to determine eligibility of the student to attend distribution day. The procedure is that the child with an adult will get in line and draw a numbered wristband. One family at a time will be served. The wristband number is for all members of the family. As they get their wristbands, they will be notified of the time range to come back on Saturday. Registration can also be done at the event on Saturday.

To contact St. Luke Lutheran Church email the office at office@stlukechurch.com or call at (503) 246-2325.

Project Lemonade

Project Lemonade is a Portland, Oregon nonprofit 501(c)3 run entirely by volunteers. Our mission is to support and promote confidence in foster youth. The Project Lemonade store is open year-round to serve the needs of foster youth. Project Lemonade provides foster youth with a back-to-school shopping experience and offers support to inspire self-esteem and promote success. Each year we serve 2,000 youth from over 24 counties in Oregon and Washington. The store provides a welcoming environment staffed with trained volunteers, where youth can select from a range of new and nearly new clothes, shoes, backpacks and accessories. Foster youth ages 5 & up with an open DHS case or home safety are eligible to shop. All youth must have an appointment to shop. Please enter youth’s name when making the appointment.

The store will open on July 17 and close August 24, operating Tuesday through Saturday.  It is necessary to register to shop. Registration opens is open now.   Please register by visiting: www.projectlemonadepdx.org/foster-families

Sunshine Division Shop with a Cop

For more than 30 years, the Sunshine Division has funded and worked with the Portland Police Bureau to identify school-age children living within the city of Portland whose families cannot afford to outfit them with new school clothes. Through our Izzy’s Kids fund, the Sunshine Division pairs nearly 500 low-income children with an officer to provide a unique one-on-one shopping experience for new school clothing at a local Fred Meyer store. Students feel good showing up to school in new clothes and they gain a positive experience with a police officer in the process!

Learn more at www.sunshinedivision.org/about/programs and request a visit at www.sunshinedivision.org/get-help/

Salvation Army

More information will be available in August about specific events and times. Contact your local Salvation Army to learn more about receiving schools supplies and more for your children.

Boys and Girls Club

Please contact your local Boys and Girls Club for more information.

Wattles: (503) 775-1549.

Blazers: (503) 282-8480.

Regence: (503) 853-8678