Where to Find School Supplies in the Community – Summer 2023

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 Tools for Schools program

Supply Kits distributed through the Tools for Schools program will differ based on grade level, but in general, will include colored pencils, erasers, folders, glue sticks, a ruler, pencils, spirals, and more. Kits for Pre-K and Kindergarten will contain supplies more appropriate for those grade levels. 

Portland Public Schools: All students at the following schools will receive a school supply kit and backpack: Boise-Eliot Elementary, Cesar Chavez Elementary, Clark Elementary, Kelly Elementary, Lent Elementary, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr School, Rigler Elementary, Rosa Parks Elementary, Scott Elementary, Sitton Elementary, Vestal Elementary, Whitman Elementary, Woodlawn Elementary, and Woodmere Elementary. School offices will have supplies and backpacks for students who enroll later. School offices at George and Harrison Park Middle Schools will have supplies and backpacks.

Centennial School District: All students at Patrick Lynch Elementary and Powell Butte Elementary will receive a school supply kit and backpack. The school office will have supplies for students who enroll later. The school office at Centennial Middle School will have supplies and backpacks.

David Douglas School District:  All students at Early Boyles Elementary School will receive a school supply kit and backpack. The school office will have supplies and backpacks for students who enroll later.

Parkrose School District: All students at Prescott Elementary and Shaver Elementary will receive a school supply kit and backpack. The school office will have supplies and backpacks for students who enroll later.

Reynolds School District: All students at the following schools will receive a school supply kit and backpack: Alder Elementary, Davis Elementary, Glenfair Elementary, Hartley Elementary, and Wilkes Elementary. School offices will have supplies and backpacks for students who enroll later.

Hillsboro School District: All students W.L. Henry, Lincoln Street Elementary and W. Verne McKinney Elementary schools will receive a school supply kit. School offices will have supplies and backpacks for students who enroll later.

KGW School Supply Drive with Schoolhouse Supplies

School supplies stay in the community where the supplies were donated. Centennial, David Douglas, Parkrose, Portland Public, and Reynolds School Districts’ supplies are distributed through the Schoolhouse Supplies Free Store for Teachers. Teachers and school administrators visit the Free Store for supplies and distribute those supplies to students. Click here for more information about the Free Store. All others are distributed through the respective school district. Click here for a list of school districts that received supplies last year.

Other Community Resources

Wake Up Beaverton

Wake Up Beaverton! is a 501c3 nonprofit committed to serving disadvantaged and marginalized people in Beaverton, Oregon. Three school supply giveaway events will be hosted on August 3-5, 2023. Learn more here.

I Heart Rockwood

I Heart Rockwood (formerly Rock The Block) is a community event celebrating our vibrant and diverse neighborhood. The festival offers complimentary services provided by dedicated community partners, government agencies and local businesses. Live entertainment, two community meals, an interactive kids zone, a BIPOC marketplace, hair cuts, school supplies, and more!

Grauer Back-to-School Project

The Grauer Back-to-School Project happens every second Saturday of August (since 2002!). This year, it is happening on Saturday August 12, 2023. Registration is here.

During the event, volunteers and community organizations provide information and resources to attending families. Personal shoppers guide families through the venue to pick out what they need, including a backpack with supplies. Translation services provided by volunteers from Neighborhood House and the Muslim Educational Trust. For more information email thegrauerproject@gmail.com. 

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army of Portland is hosting a Back 2 School Summer Block Party on Sunday, August 25, 2023 at 5pm for kids K-8th grades (8495 SE Monterey Avenue, Happy Valley, OR 97086). There will be music, games, face painting, a bounce house, food, hair cuts, school supplies, and much more! To receive school supplies, children MUST be present and Parents/Guardians must show ID and official documentation with the child’s date of birth. For more information about, please call 503-239-1224.

The Salvation Army of Gresham is holding its annual School Supply Give-Away on Sunday, August 27 at 10:30 am for kids K-8th grades (473 SE 194th Ave. Portland, OR 97233). Kids that participate on our “free” annual Vacation Bible School (August 21-25 from 5-8 pm) will automatically be added to our list. Only 100 spots are available. For more information about the school supply give away or the Vacation Bible School, please call (503) 661-8972.

Boys and Girls Club

Contact your local Boys and Girls Club for more information.

Project Lemonade

The Project Lemonade store is open year-round to serve the needs of foster youth. 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.

Soul2Soul

Soul2Soul is designed to engage, invigorate, and empower the African Diaspora and African Americans in Oregon. The public is invited to Soul2Soul: Building Bridges, a free event celebrating black resilience and uniqueness. Visit https://www.soul2soulpdx.com/ to learn more.

The Kidz Outside Festival

The Kidz Outside, a growing effort to re-envison George Park in the St. Johns neighborhood. We are gearing up to launch our 2nd annual The Kidz Outside Festival (TKO Fest) on Saturday August 26 from 2 - 4 p.m. TKO is more than an event, it is a movement to implement a community-led vision for one of our city’s most under-resourced parks that is prime for transformation as it sits in between not one, not two, but four schools within walking distance. School supplies and backpacks will be given away. Click here or check out their Facebook event to learn more.