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Free school supply programs in Chicago.
All of the Chicago agencies listed below will give away free back to school supplies to children from low income families. There is stuff for kids of all grades and ages - from kindergarten up to high school. The organizations collect items from the community then provide the clothes, bookbags, shoes, Chromebooks or tablets and more to students or teachers. Find places that give out free school supplies in Cook County and the city of Chicago.
What may be passed out every year will vary. Much of it is determined by what school supply items are collected by Back to School Illinois, which coordinates many of these charitable events across the City of Chicago and greater Cook County region. They partner with groups to help struggling families, immigrants, children from urban school districts and others. Examples of the free school supplies include the following, with many of the items offered for teachers too.
- Kindergarten students - Crayons, Plastic folders, shoes, lunchbox, glue sticks, pencils, games, and clothing.
- Elementary School students - Free pens, Three-ring binders or hole punches, calculators, backpacks, erasers, highlighters, scissors, and more.
- Middle School and High School students - Permanent markers, Graphing calculator, Combination locks, Subject dividers, books, Post-Its, free laptop computers and other free supplies.
- Free clothes or school uniforms are offered for students of all ages and grades in Chicago school districts. This will also include seasonal items such as winter coats are also given out from a free school supply event.
The examples and list above is only part of what is offered in the Cook County region. Many organizations have dozens of other items for kids going back to school. The list of organizations below is also only a sampling of potential school supply assistance programs. There may be other options too, and find free clothing banks in Chicago.
List of Cook County organizations that give out free back to school supplies
Academy for Urban School Leadership
Address: 3400 N Austin Ave, Chicago, IL 60634. Main Phone: (773) 534-0129
The non-profit helps both students from low-income families and teachers in Chicago IL get the supplies they need. Everything from writing material to tech products, backpacks, clothes, books, clothes and more is offered.
Chicago Department of Family & Support Services
There are several centers in the city. The main office is 1615 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622. Phone: (312) 743-0300
They will direct very low-income families to school supply events. There is help for immigrants, families in poverty, as well as single moms or dads in Chicago IL. Free back to school supplies are given out along with cash assistance, gift cards, food, and more. Students may be given backpacks, free clothes for school, notebooks, pens, pencils and maybe a laptop too for distance learning. Other offices include the following, or find learn how to get free school supplies mailed to you.
- Garfield Center, 10 S. Kedzie Ave., dial 312.746.5400
- North Area Center, 845 W. Wilson Ave., telephone 312.744.2580
- Trina Davila Center is at 4345 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60639. Call 312-744-2014
- King Center - 4314 S. Cottage Grove, Illinois. Main number 312-747-2300.
- South Chicago Center DFS office - 8650 S. Commercial Ave., Call 312.747.0331
- Englewood Center, 845 W. 69th St., Chicago, IL 60621. Dial 312.747.0200
Cook County Salvation Army and Chicago centers
Whether it is a free toy for a birthday or Christmas, or free seasonal school supplies in July or August, items are available. The Christian faith-based church assists thousands of low-income households each year. They give clothing, free uniforms, back to school supplies, food, and more. Or seek financial help, counseling, and other support. Find locations on Salvation Army programs in Chicago.
The Harbour Inc.
1440 Renaissance Dr., Park Ridge, Illinois 60068. Main Phone: 847.297.8540
The charity helps the homeless and Chicago families living in poverty. Those with children can be given free books, clothes for school, bags, winter gear, and more. The goal is to help a child from a low income family have the confidence they need for the school year.
JCC Chicago
A faith based Jewish Group, but all religions can get help for free stuff, including back to school supplies and backpacks for students. Call 844.452.2244 for information or to apply. They also have day and summer camps, care for seniors, and financial help for parents to get basic needs for their family. This is in addition to school supply programs.
Gary Comer Youth Center
Location is 7200 S Ingleside Ave, Chicago, IL 60619. Phone: (773) 358-4100
Each year the location has a back to school "party"/event, in which free school supplies are given out as well as meals, hygiene kits and other items.
Allen Metropolitan Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
10946 S Lowe Ave, Chicago, IL 60628. For day/hours, dial (773) 568-1200
Low-income families and those with little money can apply for help. Free school supply events, sneakers, haircuts for kids and other goods are given out.
 UCAN
Main Address: 3605 W Fillmore St, Chicago, IL 60624. To apply, call (773) 588-0180
Local churches in Cook County
A number of neighborhood parishes / churches help their local community. They organization free back to school giveaways for families facing a crisis. Whether clothes, backpacks, sneakers, notebooks and other items, help is offered. Find Cook County churches that help low-income families.
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
1 North LaSalle Street, Chicago Illinois. Dial (312) 372-6600
Many social services are offered. They include a child care assistance program as well as after school activities. There are also clothes for school, book bags, and more. Both single moms and their kids can get help.
United Way as well as Back to School Illinois
Almost all the organizations below partner with Back to School Illinois. While it does depend on donation levels and the commitment of volunteers, in general there are thousands of students assisted each year. Free school supplies, tablets, shoes, bags, winter coats, and more is given. Teachers from Cook County schools can also get free classroom supplies, including dry erasers, paper and other stuff. The goal is to ensure kids are prepared for the upcoming year. Call 211.
Heartland Alliance
208 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60604. Telephone number is 312.660.1300
Free clothes, back to school supplies for students of all grades and other social services are offered.
Chinese Mutual Aid Association
Address: 1016 W Argyle St, Chicago, IL 60640. Main phone - (773) 784-2900
While they assist immigrants (including Chinese and Asians) anyone can apply. Clients can learn about housing, GED or educational programs, ESL classes and much more. In addition, free supplies for a school year are given. Based on donations there may be tablets, pens, pencils, notebooks, and other supplies.
Chicago Children's Advocacy
Address is 1240 S Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60608. Call (312) 492-3700
Students can get free backpacks with items on them, including markers, Pencil cases or pens, lunch or supply boxes, Paper note cards. Depending on grade there may also be glue, Hand sanitizer, calculators and more.
The Chicago Public School System Holds Back to School Bashes
There are multiple events held all around the city as well as Cook County. CPS collects donated items from the community, both individuals and corporations. Students from pre-K to high school get get the resources they need for the year.
- There are also free immunizations, haircuts, wellness checks and more. Students can get gift cards, backpacks, clothes, sneakers, uniforms and electronics they need and much more. Events are held in places such as DuSable Campus, William F. Finkl Academy, Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet HS, Christian Fenger Academy HS and many other schools and locations. Call the hotline at 773-553-5437 or 773-553-1000 or look here for details. https://www.cps.edu/sites/back-to-school/.
Camp of Dreams
Address: 8 W Root St, Chicago, IL 60609. Phone: (312) 649-5551
whether after school programs, or free items for students from K-12, the non-profit tries to help. Children may also be given haircuts, personal hygiene supplies, pens, lunch boxes, paper and much more for the school year.
Boys and Girls Club of Chicago
There are many centers. Each has a summer giveaway. A bag full of school supplies or even gift cards may be given out. There are also haircuts and other activities for students. The locations are: The main customer support number is 312-235-8000.
- Main Club Support Center - 550 W. Van Buren Street, Suite 350, Chicago, IL 60607. Telephone number is 312-235-8000. This is the main office.
- Legacy Charter School, 4217 W. 18th Street, Chicago, IL 60623, dial 773-542-1490
- James R. Jordan Club is at 2102 W. Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60612, main phone - 312-226-2323
- Kidz Express Club. Address - 5221 S. Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL 60644, main number 773-417-3917
- Logandale Middle School?, 3212 W. George Street ?Chicago, IL 60618?. Telephone - 773-877-8153
- Logan Square Club is at 3228 W. Palmer Street and is in Chicago, IL 60647. The contact number is 773-342-8800
- Louis L. Valentine Club - 3400 S. Emerald Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60616. Main telephone - 773-927-7373
- Naperville Club is located at 1313 North Mill Street, Naperville, IL 60563. Main phone 630-335-7037
- Park Manor Club - Park Manor Elementary School. Address is 7037 S. Rhodes Avenue, Chicago, IL 60619. Main phone - 773-535-3070
- Pedersen-McCormick Club address - 4835 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60640, dial 773-271-8400
- SOS Children's Village Club - 7600 S. Parnell Avenue, Chicago, IL 60620. Telephone number - 773-783-0500
- True Value Club - 2950 W. 25th Street, Chicago, IL 60623. Main number - 773-247-0700
- Alcott Club - Alcott College Prep, ?2957 N. Hoyne Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60618, dial 773-534-5970
- Bright Club is located at Orville Bright Elementary School, 10740 S. Calhoun Avenue, Chicago, IL 60617, telephone number is 773-535-6477
- Brunson Math & Science Elementary - 932 N. Central Avenue, Chicago, IL 60651. Intake number - 872-222-7060
- Carter Club - Coppin AME Church, 5627 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637. Telephone number is 773-891-1444
- CC's Little Village Club – Address is 2801 S. Ridgeway Avenue, Chicago, IL 60623. Main phone number - 773-277-1800
- John W. Cook Elementary School, 8150 S. Bishop Street, Chicago, IL 60620, main phone - 773-425-3809
- Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Club may pass out school supplies from 2950 W. Washington Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60612. Main number is 773-638-5464
- Ford Heights Club, 1401 E. 13th Place, Ford Heights, Illinois 60411. Main number - 708-758-1960
- Green Club is based at Wendell Green Elementary School. The address is 1150 W. 96th Street, Chicago, IL 60643. Main phone - 773-840-4724
- John Hay Community Academy, address is 1018 N. Laramie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60651. Telephone number is 773-534-6005.
Catholic Charities of Chicago including St. Vincent
The main office is at 721 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60654. Call (312) 655-7700
The charity provides social services to immigrants, single moms, the poor and others. Everything from free school supplies for students in public schools to hygiene kits, meals, and more is offered in Chicago. There are multiple distribution centers. Some parents may be able to get a gift card to pay for supplies too.
The Village Project Collective
Call 312-639-0760. The non-profit offices at 818 E 63rd St, Chicago, IL 60637 as well as 8301 S Holland Rd, Chicago, IL 60620
Free school supply events from Cook County churches
Several churches throughout Chicago help students get free school supplies, no matter their grade or school. There are clothes, pens, lunch bags, paper, and more. The clothing closets will give students free sneakers for school, uniforms, jeans and other items.
- Tabor Lutheran Church has a one time event. Get a backpack full of supplies, hygiene kit, basic medical for students and other help from 542 W Sunnyside Ave, Chicago, IL 60625. Call (773) 588-4040
- Carter Temple CME Church is at 7841 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60619. Phone: (773) 874-0175
- Trinity Resurrection United Church has progams ranging from a free clothing closet to gift cards and back to school “bashes:. Address: 9046 S Mackinaw Ave, Chicago, IL 60617. Phone: (773) 768-9645
- Saint Sabina Church provides an annual free school supply event-bash with kids of all ages given stuff. Location is 1210 W 78th Pl, Chicago, IL 60620. Telephone: (773) 483-4300
Association House of Chicago
1116 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60651. Phone: (773) 772-7170
PorchLight Foundation Too
Phone: (773) 744-3710
RISE Foundation of Chicago:
773-368-2564
The non-profit helps kids year round, including by given away school supplies. They also help low-income families in Chicago get Chromebooks, tablets, notebooks, writing material and well. As there are programs such as Lifeline, and look here for a free iPhone in Illinois.
Kids Off the Block
11623 S Michigan Ave #1, Chicago, IL 60628. Phone: (773) 941-6864
Youth, teens and those facing barriers to education in Chicago are a focus. Students from grades K-12 will get what they need for the school year, whether something to wear or more “practical stuff”.
Kenwood Oakland Community Organization
The non-profit has a food bank and school supply program at 4242 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60653. Phone: (773) 548-7500
Applications to USDA school lunch and breakfast programs, referrals to Chromebooks for online learning, backpacks full of free supplies and more is given. They also help teachers from public school districts.
Pangea Cares
Main address is 549 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661. Call the non-profit at 312.924.5745
They not only have an annual back to school supply giveaway for hundreds of students, but they also take them on educational trips and experiences.
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