5 Creative Ways to Get Free School Supplies
Let’s face it: school supplies are expensive! Just one binder can cost $5 or more, so getting everything you need for the year can put quite a strain on your bank account. But there’s no need to grab that credit card and make another run to the local office supply store. There are a number of ways you can get free, cheap, or even donated school supplies.
Here are just a few ways to get free school supplies this school year:
1.Find charitable organizations offering free school supplies
There are several charitable organizations that offer things such as food, clothing and school supplies to help students who may not be able to afford school supplies.
The Salvation Army is a great resource, and they are scattered across many communities in the country. Contact your local Salvation Army on ways to receive information on how to get free supplies! You can find a local Salvation Army’s center by entering your ZIP code at SalvationArmyUSA.org and finding out about their local events.
Another great resource is the Kids in Need Foundation. They strive to provide free supplies and backpacks to students and teachers all over the country who aren’t able to afford it. Similarly, Operation Homefront provides a similar service for students whose parents are in the military. .
And finally, don’t forget to check out your local Boys & Girls Club of America! While supplies vary by location, the Boys & Girls Clubs have great corporate partners that make them a solid resource for free school supplies.
2. Check in with your school or school district
Go straight to the source! If you’re searching for free school supplies, your school is a good place to start. Ask your teacher, school administrator, or even your school district to see if there are any specific programs for free school supplies.
3. Finding school supplies through online groups
Facebook Marketplace, Craiglist, and sites like Freecycle can be great places to find free or low-cost school supplies. This especially holds true to pricey items like graphing calculators that won’t get a lot of use once you’re out of school.
When using these sites, it’s important to keep safety top of mind. So, you might search for the things you need, but have your parent or guardian make the actual arrangements. Your parents will appreciate the help (especially if you have younger siblings!), but making the arrangements will allow them to potentially negotiate a better price while keeping you safe.
4. Know where to find free textbooks
While you may wonder why you’d need free textbooks if you’re not in college (yet!), but teachers often assign supplementary reading, especially over the summer. All those books can quickly add up!
I saved money on those books in school by visiting my local used book stores. You can also save money by checking out the free offerings from Amazon, where a lot of the classics assigned by teachers are available for free. Even better, free supplemental study guides are often available to help you master the material.
Other places to get access to books and other free education resources include Project Gutenberg, Library Genesis, Open Library, and Every Poet.
5. Host your own DIY school supplies drive!
If you can't find help with school supplies in your community, try organizing a school supplies drive! Get creative and be the leader that your community and fellow students need.
Kids in Need Foundation offers a toolkit with tips for success, from working with community partners to getting people involved. United Way also has a super usel toolkit for kicking off your own campaign!
Another idea is to partner with one of your teachers to create an Amazon wishlist for your classroom. You can help your teacher determine what supplies you and your classmates need, and then the teacher can create the list and have all the supplies sent straight to their classroom, all without any personal information being shared.
Final Thoughts on Finding Free School Supplies
The next time you search, “How can I get free school supplies,” remember there are always creative ways to make it happen! This is especially true if you do a search for free school supplies in your local city, as local organizations are often some of the best places to find school supplies for students.
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