July is almost here and back to school is right around the corner. I’d like to encourage everyone to spend at least a few bucks picking up extra school supplies for students in need.
Let’s help all kids start the school year on the right foot for the 2026-2027 school year. Have the right supplies is key to academic success and every kid should have a shot at that.
Arizona Back To School Drives
To make it easy check out my list of back to school drives in Tucson, Phoenix and the rest of Arizona. You can also donate supplies to your local school. The school staff will distribute the supplies to the students that need it most.
List of School Supply Drives in Tucson
NEWS 4 KVOA School Supply Drive
- Collecting school supplies during live Tucson Today broadcast at 5 different school district locations to benefit that school district during the 12pm, 4pm, 5pm and 6pm broadcasts.
- Monday, July 13 – Vail Unified School District – Cienega High School (12775 E. Mary Ann Cleveland Way)
- Tuesday, July 14 – Tucson Unified School District – C.E. Rose K-8 School (710 W. Michigan Drive)
- Wednesday, July 15- Amphi Unified School District – Amphitheater Middle School (315 E. Prince Road)
- Thursday, July 16 – Sunnyside Unified School District – Sunnyside High School (1725 E. Bilby Road)
- Friday, July 17 – Marana Unified School District – Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary School (8500 N. Continental Reserve Loop)
- Local partners are also collecting supplies here (for all locations).
KOLD 13 Cares For Classrooms
- Collecting July 1, 2026 – July 31, 2026
- Seeking the following school supplies:
- Notebooks, Markers, Pencils, Pens, Tissues, Binders, Pencil Pouch, Highlighters, Hand Sanitizer, Backpacks, Lunchboxes, Crayons, and Erasers.
- Live Supply Drives at Walmart 9AM-6PM
- Walmart Super Center 8280 North Cortaro Rd: Friday July10th and Friday July 24th
- Walmart Super Center 7635 North La Cholla Rd: Friday July 17th ]
- Benefits students and teachers in Southern Arizona
Elevate Trampoline Park School Supply Drive
- Collecting All July 2026
- Donation Location: Elevate Trampoline Park Tucson
- Seeking new & unopened school supplies (Part of their Thankful Thursday promotion)
- Bring in new supplies on Thursdays and jump for 2 hours for only $10.
- To benefit a local organization
Aviva Children’s Services Back To School Event
- Donate school supplies at Aviva (153 S. Plumer Ave) 8:30-4:30 Monday – Friday (in July).
- Seeking the following school supplies:
- 1 inch binders,lined comp books, spiral notebooks college/wide ruled, filler paper college/wide rules, dry erase markers, highlighters
- To benefit children in foster care.
School Supplies Drives in Phoenix
Harkins Theaters Backpack Drive
- Collecting July 18 from 10AM-12PM at the following theater locations: Chandler Crossroads, Park West and Scottsdale 101
- For each donated full-size (minimum 16″ height) backpack filled with school supplies will receive one FREE VIP Gold movie ticket and a 2026 Loyalty Cup.
Phoenix Salvation Army Backpack SOS
- Online donations to sponsor a local child here.
- To benefit local students in need
More Arizona Back To School Drives
Dollar Tree Back To School Brigade
- Donation locations: Dollar Tree stores
- Supplies requested: backpacks and school supplies.
- To benefit local military families
Donating Cash Online To Help Local Students
If you can’t buy things to personally drop off somewhere, consider one of these online ways to help local students
- An easy way to help teachers is to support Donors Choose. You can donate online and support a project of your choice!
- Interfaith Community Services accepts monetary donations for Youth Enrichment Support which helps children participate in summer camp, rent instruments for band or participate in science fairs.
- Youth On Their Own has a link to their Amazon wish list that includes school supplies.
- AZTV7 is hosting an online stuff the bus drive to support kids Maricopa and Yavapai counties.
- Southwest Human Development online school supply drive.
If you know of another school supply drive please leave me a comment, I’ll update this list as needed.
Need Help For Your Child?
On the other side of the coin, if you need help with back to school supplies inquire with local community service groups. You can contact the organizations collecting supplies above to see if your family qualifies for their program. Also reach out to your school district many host a school event before school starts for backpack giveaways.
Eve says
What a Great list, ty for making a post of list of schools that we can donate the school supplies. I know this took some time to compile together.
Thx!! KC
kc says
Thanks Eve!! I was looking for a list to use myself… couldn’t find one, so I decided someone had to take it on!!! Hopefully it helps even ONE more person to donate.. then it would have been worth time.
Also I am still looking for any additional school supply drives.. anywhere in AZ!
kc says
Thanks I will add it to my list!!!
Andrea says
I’m in need of school supplies for my children is there any info on that?
Karen says
I’d try calling Interfaith Services and see when they are giving out their supplies or check out this event – https://www.facebook.com/events/262210211222698/
Rebecca says
Hello my name is Rebecca baldenegro I have 4 kiddos that attend school 1 is in pre k I don’t have a job to get them anything I just got hired at frys tomorrow is my first day I don’t have any uniforms for my kids or school or any new shoes I would like a jump start of help.
Karen says
Hi Rebecca,
This post is just a resource for people looking to donate extra school supplies. It really isn’t a comprehensive list of places where you can get help yourself. I would suggest you contact the school district/local school you kids are enrolled out and find out what help they can provide. Many districts collect supplies to pass out to students in need and also have clothing banks where families can visit for school clothes.
Also if you are in the Tucson area, there is the Backpacks and Badges even happening this weekend at Pima Community College West. You can find more details here: https://www.pimasheriff.org/services/badges-and-backpacks
I hope that helps!
Crystal Kunka says
If you are in need of getting school supplies for your children check out Forourcitychandler.org.
Karen says
Thanks for the link. I see they’ve stopped accepting donations but I’ll be sure to include them next year in my list!
Costumelooks.com says
For Our City Chandler is proud to present the biggest back-to-school collaborative donation drive for Chandler students in need. Chandler K-12 students can receive backpacks filled with school supplies, shoes, uniforms, socks and underwear (as they last) in addition to information on free after school programs, giveaways and prizes!