Portland Area Free School Supply Giveaways — Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas Counties
Getting school supplies for free in the Portland area means knowing where to look across three counties — Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas. Some programs are open community events where any family can show up. Others only serve families enrolled in a specific school district, or require a referral from a school counselor. A few of the larger districts quietly deliver supplies through teachers, so some kids receive what they need on the first day of school without their parents having to find or attend anything.
This page will help you understand which options in the Portland OR area apply to your child's situation, which will help you make the most of what's available. Most events are held in late July and August, before school starts. Supplies run out, and some programs have income or address requirements — it's worth a quick call before making the trip. If you are looking for organizations that may offer free clothes, the free clothing closets in Multnomah County page or the nearby free clothing closets in Washington County page.
How Supplies Reach Students Through Portland Schools
Schoolhouse Supplies and the KGW School Supply Drive
Portland has something most cities don't: a regional nonprofit, Schoolhouse Supplies, that operates a Free Store for Teachers — a year-round space where classroom teachers can "shop" for supplies at no cost and bring them back to their students. Families cannot access the store directly. Supplies flow in partly through the annual KGW School Supply Drive, a partnership between the local TV station, OnPoint Community Credit Union, and other sponsors. The drive has historically aimed to reach over 15,000 students across the metro.
Through the Tools for Schools program, Schoolhouse Supplies also distributes supply kits directly to specific schools, with every student at those schools receiving a kit. In recent years, participating schools have included multiple elementary schools in Portland Public Schools, Centennial, David Douglas, Parkrose, and Reynolds school districts, as well as select schools in the Hillsboro School District. If your child attends an elementary school in any of these districts, contact the school office directly to ask whether they participate — school supplies are distributed at the school, often on or near the first day. Website is https://schoolhousesupplies.org/ — Which schools participate can shift from year to year; verify with your school before the year begins.
Open Community Events — No District Enrollment Required
Salvation Army — Portland Metro (Multiple Locations, Multiple Events)
The Salvation Army typically runs more than one back-to-school event across the Portland metro in August, spread across Multnomah and Washington counties. Past years have included a Back to School Fair in North Portland, a Back to School Block Party in outer SE Portland (Happy Valley area), and a separate Washington County event in Hillsboro — all within the same back-to-school season. Events have included school supply giveaways, food, family activities, free haircuts, face painting, and entertainment. Pre-registration has been required at some locations, not at others. Website: https://portland.salvationarmy.org/ — Because the Salvation Army runs multiple distinct events in different parts of the metro, check their Portland site each summer for the current lineup, locations, and whether registration is needed.
Rock the Block — City of Gresham / Rockwood
Hosted by the City of Gresham each August in the Rockwood neighborhood (Rockwood Market Hall, SE Portland/Gresham area), Rock the Block has become one of the larger free community events in the east metro. It spans multiple days and has included free backpacks stuffed with school supplies (while supplies last), free haircuts, food, live music, a kids' zone, and a resource fair with local organizations and nonprofits. The event sits at the Multnomah-Clackamas border and draws families from across the east side. No registration required; backpacks go first-come, first-served. The website for events is https://www.greshamoregon.gov/events/?category=-1 — Date, format, and supply quantities vary year to year; confirm current-year details before attending.
SW Portland / Washington County
The Grauer Back-to-School Project
Running continuously since 2002, the Grauer Project is one of the most structured free back-to-school events in the Portland area and stands out for its "personal shopper" model: rather than a table of mixed supplies, approved families are guided through the venue by a volunteer who helps them select what they actually need — a backpack with supplies, clothing, and other items. Translation services in multiple languages have been a consistent feature, provided through volunteers from Neighborhood House and the Muslim Educational Trust.
Grauer operates on a geographic and income restriction: families must be enrolled in a SW Portland public school within a specific school cluster (the Ida B. Wells cluster as of recent years, previously the Wilson cluster) and must qualify for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program. Proof of address and a school ID or report card are required. The event has historically been held every second Saturday of August at St. Luke Lutheran Church (4595 SW California St, Portland, OR 97219). Website: https://www.grauerbacktoschool.com/ — Registration has been available in advance, and walk-ins have also been served. Confirm eligibility requirements and whether the cluster assignment has changed before attending.
Wake Up Beaverton
Wake Up Beaverton is a Beaverton-based nonprofit that has hosted back-to-school supply events for disadvantaged families in Washington County. Website: https://www.wakeupbeaverton.org/ — Check their events calendar each summer for the current year's event dates and any eligibility or geographic requirements.
North and Inner Portland (Multnomah County)
SnowCap Community Services
17805 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97233 (behind Rockwood United Methodist Church) | (503) 674-8785
SnowCap is a pillar of East Multnomah County, having served the community since 1967. Their annual back-to-school event has provided free school clothing, backpacks, school supplies, and books to families in East Portland and the Gresham area. Families can also access SnowCap's clothing closet and food programs throughout the year. Proof of address is generally required; service area is focused on East Multnomah County (east of 82nd Avenue and surrounding communities). Website: https://www.snowcap.org/ — Call ahead or check their calendar to confirm the current year's back-to-school event date and documentation requirements.
Rose Haven — Back to School Giveaway
Rose Haven is a day shelter and service center for women, children, and gender-nonconforming adults in Portland. Each August they host a back-to-school giveaway specifically for their registered guests — access is tied to existing enrollment in Rose Haven's programs. If you or your family are already connected with Rose Haven, ask your caseworker about school supply availability in late July and August. Website: https://rosehaven.org/ — This event is not open to the general public; Rose Haven guests only.
East Multnomah County / Clackamas County Border
North Clackamas School District — Clothing and Supply Bank
6031 SE King Rd, Milwaukie, OR 97222 | (503) 353-5663
The North Clackamas School District operates a clothing bank with hygiene items and some school supplies, available to families within the district. This is a district-specific program; enrollment in North Clackamas is required. Call to confirm current hours, available items, and any documentation requirements.
Year-Round and Referral-Based Programs
Love Inc. — Hillsboro and Portland
Love Inc. operates multiple centers in Hillsboro and North Portland, running a Free Store model for household items, school supplies, hygiene products, and clothing. Teachers, students, and families in need have been among those served. Hillsboro location is the primary Washington County hub. (503) 648-0700 (Hillsboro) / (503) 289-3299 (Portland) — Call to verify the current year's programs, hours, and any intake requirements.
Portland PTA Clothing Center
3901 SE 91st Ave, Room C-56, Portland, OR 97266
School referral required — talk to your child's teacher or counselor. The center has supplied school clothing and some supplies to students referred by their schools, with participation from districts including Reynolds and David Douglas. Contact through your child's school to initiate a referral.
Oregon Department of Education — McKinney-Vento Homeless Student Protections
Families whose children are experiencing homelessness have legal rights under federal law, including the right to free school supplies, meals, and transportation. Oregon's McKinney-Vento liaisons are located at every school district and are required to connect families with these resources without delay. If your child's housing situation is unstable, contact your school district's homeless student liaison first — this is often the fastest route to supplies and enrollment support. https://www.oregon.gov/ode/Pages/default.aspx — This is a legal protection, not a program with a seasonal giveaway window.
William Temple House
2023 NW Hoyt Street, Portland, Oregon 97209. Phone 503-226-3021
Based on available resources, their Social Service program will provide school supplies as well referrals from the Resource Navigation program. Other personal hygiene supplies may be given out as well.
If the programs above don't cover your situation, calling or texting 211 (Oregon 211) connects you with a live referral specialist who tracks church-based drives, neighborhood events, and district-level programs that don't always surface publicly. It's most useful once the major seasonal events have ended and school is close.
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