Where to Find School Supplies in the Community – Summer 2024
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: 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.
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, Gresham-Barlow, 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 including a list of eligible schools. All others are distributed through the respective school district. Click here for a list of school districts that received supplies last year. If your school or school district is on one of these lists, please contact them directly to ask about receiving the supplies.
Other Community Resources
Wake Up Beaverton
Wake Up Beaverton! is a 501c3 nonprofit committed to serving disadvantaged and marginalized people in Beaverton, Oregon. A school supply giveaway event will be hosted on August 15, 2024. 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 10, 2024. Register 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 the Portland metro area is hosting several school supply drives this August. Their first event will be the Back To School Fair on Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 11am-2pm (5325 N Williams Pl Portland 97217). This event will have school supply giveaways, food, fun family activities and more! For more information, please contact Heather Mcbride at heather.mcbride@usw.salvationarmy.org.
The second school supply drive will be their Back to School Block Party on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 5pm (8495 SE Monterey Ave Portland 97086). The event will have a variety of booths offering games, delicious food, free haircuts, face painting, jump houses, and more. Contact Sarah Culley at sarah.culley@usw.salvationarmy.org with any questions.
Their third event, Back 2 School, will be on Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 1pm-4pm (1440 SE 21st Ave Hillsboro, Oregon 97123). The event will be a BBQ for students (Kid-6th grade) and their families to receive back-to-school services and goods. Contact Adam Harvey at adam.harvey@usw.salvationarmy.org with any questions.
For all events in order to receive school supplies, children MUST be present and Parents/Guardians must show ID and official documentation with the child’s date of birth.
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. Is gearing up to launch their 3rd annual The Kidz Outside Festival (TKO Fest) on Saturday August 24 at 6:30pm. 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. Check out their Facebook page to learn more.
Unite Oregon
Unite Oregon is a non profit fighting for social justice in Oregon and they will be hosting a youth expo on August 23, 2024 from 10am-4pm (Left Bank Annex, 101 N Weidler St, Portland, OR 97227). This event will have back to school supplies for all ages, workshops (grades 6th-12th) and more to help better prepare students for their futures. Click here or contact Unite Oregon at education@uniteoregon.org for more information.
