Backpack giveaways help students get ready for school

Last year, the National Retail Federation reported that the average family spends $217.82 on back-to-school preparation, including new clothing and shoes for students.

The largest single expenditure, however, is for school supplies. In 2015, families spent an average of $94.74 on school supplies alone.

For many students in Central Indiana, a new school year begins in just a few weeks. And to help ease the back-to-school shopping burden that comes with that, a number of local organizations and businesses are participating in free backpack giveaways.

The Indianapolis Urban League will host its annual Back to School Block Party on Saturday, July 30 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 777 Indiana Avenue.

The event began in 2002, according to Mark Russell, director of education and family services for the league. It typically serves more than 800 children from Marion County.

"The event is particularly to assist low-income parents to defray the cost of meeting obligations for school," Russell said. "We don't do uniforms, but we do provide supplies."

Also at the event will be a voter registration drive, aimed at helping residents get registered ahead of the November election. Representatives from local law enforcement agencies will also be at the event, to foster and strengthen community relationships, Russell said.

The event is first come, first served and has no eligibility or citizenship requirements.

That isn't the only place where students can receive school supplies. If you can't make it to that event, here are some other places students — and their parents — can go for back-to-school necessities.

School Rocks Backpack Giveaway

What: Sponsored by TCC, Verizon's largest authorized retailer, and A Wireless, the School Rocks Backpack Giveaway is a nation-wide event which will distribute 235,000 backpacks to students across the country. Each TCC store will donate 250 backpacks and each A Wireless store will donate 125. It's free and open to the public, and backpacks will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

When: Saturday, July 30 from noon to 3 p.m. 

Where: Several TCC locations across Indianapolis and Hamilton County. Indianapolis locations include 4335 E. 82nd Street; Suite 101, 10930 Pendleton Pike Suite 106, 4903 S. Emerson Avenue, and 1950 Kessler Avenue. For a full list of locations in the Indianapolis area, visit TCC's website.

Covering Kids and Families of Indiana's Back to School Family Day

What: Health screenings and information, school supplies and more will be offered to families at the Indianapolis Fire Department Fire Safety Festival. Enrollment will be available onsite for health care programs like Hoosier Healthwise, Health Advantage, Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0 and the Affordable Care Act as well as immunizations — just don't forget to bring your child's current immunization records and your insurance or Medicaid card — and birth certificates for a fee. To be eligible, participants must bring income stubs for the last three months, Social Security Numbers and proof of address in Marion County. A child must be present to receive school supplies. 

When: Saturday, July 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Where: Marion County Public Health Department, 3838 N. Rural St., in the parking lot

Child Advocates of Indiana's Kids' Fair

What: Child Advocates, along with several other social service agencies, will host a free Kids' Fair, where families can pick up backpacks and school supplies. 1,500 of the backpacks have been stuffed with school supplies, while an additional 3,000 will be distributed. There will also be food and family-friendly activities, including carnival games, prizes and a fire truck and police car onsite for children to explore, as well as safety demonstrations by Indianapolis Fire Department and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. There will also be health information available. No registration is required and there are no financial or citizenship requirements. The event is free and open to the public, although the supplies will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

When: Saturday, July 30 from 9-11:30 a.m.

Where:  Mainscape Parking Lot, 4150 N. Keystone

StarMedia's Our Children, Our City Initiative

Call IndyStar reporter Holly Hays at (317) 444-6156. Follow her on Twitter: @hollyvhays.