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Family Affordability Program

Empowering communities by ensuring that every family has the tools and policy solutions needed to get ahead, not just get by.
Back to School Supply Drive
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Millions of American families are working hard and still can't keep up with the cost of raising kids. Groceries, rent, gas, childcare, school supplies — the everyday costs of keeping a household running have climbed faster than most paychecks, and families across the country are feeling squeezed from every direction at once.

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More than half of Americans say they're living paycheck to paycheck, and about 1 in 3 — roughly 88 million adults — describe their finances as "struggling" or "in crisis.” For the first time in three years, prices are rising faster than wages: from spring 2025 to spring 2026, paychecks grew about 3.6% while the cost of living rose 3.8%.

 

Families shouldn't have to choose between paying rent and buying groceries, or between a parent's paycheck and a child's care. As a country, we can do better for American families and for our children.

 

That means:

  • Getting real help into families' hands now: school supplies, food, and other essentials through local drives and trusted community partners.

  • Pushing for policies that actually bring down the cost of raising a kid — childcare, rent, groceries.

  • Making sure families get the support they've already earned, by connecting them to assistance they qualify for but aren't using.

 

That first commitment starts with the cost bearing down on families right now: getting kids ready to go back to school.

Making Back-to-School Affordable for Every American Family

Every parent wants their child to walk into the first day of school prepared – with the right supplies and ready to focus on learning. But getting kids ready for the school year is expensive. This year, with things like groceries, gas, and utilities all up, many families are heading into the back to school season with less room in the budget than ever. Backpacks, calculators, notebooks, lunch gear, shoes, socks, and classroom basics are up almost 25%, making it harder and harder to cross off everything on the list. 

On average, just getting one child ready will cost families $560 this year. For a whole household, it’s an average of $863, all before school has even started. 

In Texas and across the South, neighbors are showing up for each other. Churches, schools, PTAs, and local nonprofits are running backpack drives and handing out school supplies to help give families the extra help they need to support their kids going into the year. 

 

We've pulled those resources together by area so you can find what's closest to you. Whether you need a hand right now or you're able to lend one, this is the place to start.

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Find resources near you ↓

Resources

National Resources
State Sales Tax Holidays

Many states offer statewide tax holidays for qualifying items. During the summer, state tax holidays serve as days for families to do back to school shopping without the extra cost of sales tax driving up their totals. Check if your state has a tax holiday below. 

Resources by State

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  • Houston

    • Community events – including the Braeswood Community Health Fair at Braeswood Assembly of God Church Fondren Campus, and a large event distributing 20,000 backpacks filled with school supplies along with free on-site health screenings. 

    • Houston Children's Charity — Back2School – Families can register to receive free school supplies and backpacks in the Houston area; registration is required and applications are currently open. 

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  • Lubbock

    • City of Lubbock Back-2-School Bash – Attendees can receive free backpacks, school supplies, and community resources; children must be present to receive a backpack. August 1st 10am - 2pm.

  • New Orleans

    • NOLA Back 2 School Fest (Xavier University) – Provides thousands of school children in grades K-6 from throughout the New Orleans area with a backpack filled with essential school supplies, taking place Saturday, July 18, 2026. Families must pre-register to reserve their backpacks online. 

    • Pelican Park Giveaway – Saturday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Pelican Park inside the Brown Gym, 64674 Pelican Drive, where the first 250 students receive a free backpack with supplies. 

    • Various West Bank/Algiers/Gretna events – including the Pearson & Mitchell Back to School Giveaway in Gretna, where school bags filled with school supplies are distributed until supplies last, and children must be present to receive a backpack. 

    • Monroe/Northeast Louisiana

    • Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana — "Super Saturday" Backpack Giveaway – An annual event that distributed more than 400 free backpacks filled with school supplies this year. A parent or guardian must be present to complete the required waiver.

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  • Parishes

    • St. Landry Parish - MacaroniKID Acadia-St. Landry is partnering up with the American Legion Auxiliary Port Barre Unit 334 to host a Back to School Supply Drive for students and teachers. 

    • Lafayette Parish  - Affordable Home Furnishings Back-to-School Giveaway – Giving away brand-new backpacks at all retail locations, free of charge, open to the public with no purchase necessary; distributed first-come, first-served while supplies last 

    • Iberia Parish - Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office Back-to-School Event – Hosting an event for families getting ready to return to class, including food, supplies, uniforms, a raffle, and other activities.

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  • Birmingham Area

    • The Power of Life Foundation – Holds a Back to School Backpack Giveaway at 3020 Hawkins Lane, Fultondale, with all cars entering from Central Avenue for giveaways, music, and food. August 8th 10-2

    • The Carlos Chaverst Foundation — "The Biggest Back 2 School" event – Held at Center Point Parks and Recreation, offering free school supplies, food and drinks, and haircuts, with a pop-up shop and prize giveaways. August 17th 1-4pm

    • OCALA (at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Montevallo) – Gives out backpacks and school supplies and offers free health exams with no appointment or ID needed. 

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  • ​Mobile County

    • SouthWest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce — Kids Day 2026 – An annual family-friendly event distributing 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies on a first-come, first-served basis; families should visit the registration tent upon arrival. 

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  • Huntsville/Madison County 

    • City of Huntsville Back to School Backpack and School Supply Giveaway – Hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Community Awareness for Youth (CAFY) at Calhoun Community College–Huntsville, offering backpacks, school supplies, entertainment, and additional resources, plus drive-thru grocery distribution while supplies last. July 25th.

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  • South/Costal Georgia

    • Da Burg — 7th Annual Back 2 School Backpack Giveaway (Tifton) – Provides local students with school essentials while bringing the community together before classes begin, at Mt. Zion Friendship Field. July 18th.

    • Various Savannah-area events – Organizations across southeast Georgia are giving away free school supplies, backpacks, uniforms and other essentials, with free backpacks and school supplies for the first 300 guests at some events. 

  • Orlando/Central Florida

    • Men's Closet — Back 2 School Backpack Giveaway – Attendees enjoy free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, hair braiding, personal hygiene items for children, family resources, and more; backpacks distributed first-come, first-served, limited to one per child, and children must be present with a parent or guardian. 

    • Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law — Backpack Giveaway (Barnett Park) – Free backpacks distributed to school-aged children in attendance while supplies last, alongside activities, entertainment, and community resources. August 1st

    • Florida Blue — "Mission Ready" event (Clermont) – Features free school supply giveaways, cosmic-themed activities for kids, and resources to help students succeed. 

    • More resources here

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  • Lakeland/Polk County

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