Free School Supplies and Back to School Help in the Raleigh-Durham Area
Families in the Raleigh-Durham area looking for free school supplies, backpacks, and clothing are searching across two counties — Wake and Durham — each with its own school district, its own set of programs, and its own seasonal events. Some organizations on this page serve both counties; others are specific to one or the other. Where it matters, that's called out clearly. Supplies go fast so apply early.
Raleigh-Durham is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country. The Triangle's Latino community has also grown significantly in recent years, and several programs on this page offer Spanish-language services or specifically serve immigrant and newcomer families. Most seasonal giveaway events run in late July and August, ahead of the late-August school start across both districts. For option that may be available year-round, see the free clothing closets in Wake County area.
The Largest Annual Events
Durham Rescue Mission — Annual Back to School Community Party and Backpack Giveaway
The Durham Rescue Mission's back-to-school event is one of the largest in the region. Beyond supplies, the event includes food, carnival games, bounce houses, and drawings for larger prizes including Chromebooks and bicycles — it's a genuine community event, not just a supply table.
The event is held annually in mid-to-late August at the Mission's main campus at 1201 E. Main St., Durham, NC 27701; phone (919) 688-9641. Doors have typically opened around 11 a.m. No registration is required — supplies are distributed while they last, and families often arrive early. Website is https://durhamrescuemission.org/ — The event date is announced each summer; confirm on their website or by phone before attending.
Raleigh Dream Center — Back2School Bash
The Raleigh Dream Center hosts an annual Back2School Bash that has grown into one of Wake County's most visible back-to-school events. The vent gives out backpacks filled with school supplies, alongside festival rides, games, and food trucks. The event is free and open to all families — no registration required and no income documentation needed at the door. Past events have been held in the large parking lot of New Hope Baptist Church at 4301 Louisburg Road in Raleigh, with shuttle service from a nearby parking location.
The Dream Center also distributes backpacks through its year-round Adopt-A-Block community outreach at more than a dozen Wake County apartment communities each August, separately from the main Bash event. https://raleighdreamcenter.org/ — The Bash has been held in late July or early August; check their website each summer for the current date.
For Students in Unstable Housing — McKinney-Vento Programs
Wake County Public School System
Under federal McKinney-Vento law, students living doubled-up, in motels, shelters, or other temporary situations have the right to enroll immediately, receive transportation support, and access supplies without delay — regardless of season. Every school in the district has a McKinney-Vento contact. Phone (919) 694-0582. Or see https://www.wcpss.net/student-life/mckinney-vento — If your child is enrolled in Wake County and your family is experiencing housing instability, contact this office or ask the school's front office to connect you. This is a legal right, not a waitlisted program.
Durham Public Schools
Durham Public Schools operates a separate McKinney-Vento program for students experiencing homelessness. The district liaison can be reached at (919) 560-3927, with the program office at 511 Cleveland Street, Durham, NC 27702. As with Wake County, enrollment and supply access cannot be delayed pending proof of address for eligible students.
Established Community Organizations — Wake County
Salvation Army — Wake and Durham Counties
The Salvation Army provides back-to-school supply assistance each summer in both Wake and Durham counties, including backpacks, notebooks, clothing, and shoes. Availability varies by location and is subject to donations each year. More detail is on our Wake County Salvation Army page and the separate Durham Salvation Army page.
Helping Hand Mission
One of the oldest and most active social service organizations in Wake County, Helping Hand Mission operates year-round across multiple Raleigh locations and runs a dedicated Back-to-School Assistance Program each summer providing donated backpacks and school supplies to low-income children. The mission many different programs in total, including food, clothing, transitional housing, and financial assistance. Primary location: 623 Rock Quarry Rd., Raleigh, NC 27610; phone (919) 829-8048. Additional locations at 501 New Bern Avenue and 5713 Hillsborough Street in Raleigh (same phone). Call ahead to confirm current-year back-to-school supply dates and any intake requirements.
Urban Ministries of Wake County — Helen Wright Center
The Helen Wright Center at 3603 Bastion Ln., Raleigh, NC 27604; (919) 833-1748 offers emergency financial assistance alongside school supplies, calculators, gift cards from local stores, and other educational materials for students of all ages. The center serves a broad range of families including Spanish-speaking and immigrant households.
Durham Rescue Mission
The Durham Rescue Mission has operated in Durham since 1974, providing food, clothing, shelter, and emergency assistance year-round at its main campus at 1201 E. Main St., Durham, NC 27701; phone (919) 688-9641. In addition to its large annual back-to-school event described above, the Mission provides ongoing clothing and basic needs assistance to low-income families and individuals throughout the year. Website: https://durhamrescuemission.org/.
For Teachers — Two Free Classroom Supply Programs
The Triangle has two well-established programs that provide free classroom supplies to teachers — one serving each county's school district. These are not programs for families or students to access directly, but when teachers have what they need, it benefits every student in the room.
WakeEd Partnership — Tools4Schools (WCPSS teachers only)
WakeEd Partnership's Tools4Schools is a free classroom supply store open exclusively to Wake County Public School System teachers, operating year-round at 1816 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27604. Each summer WakeEd runs a community-wide supply drive to restock the store before the school year begins. Website: https://wakeed.org/.
Crayons2Calculators — Durham Public Schools Foundation (DPS teachers only)
Crayons2Calculators has provided free classroom supplies to Durham Public Schools teachers since 2006 and now operates under the Durham Public Schools Foundation. Teachers access supplies through a warehouse store model at Address is 808 Bacon St., Durham, NC 27703; phone (919) 228-9624. https://www.bullcityschools.org/crayons2calculators.
Referral Resources
211 North Carolina - Covers both Durham and Wake County
Calling or texting 211 connects families to local social services including church-based supply drives, neighborhood events, and smaller programs not listed here. United Way of the Greater Triangle (website: https://unitedwaytriangle.org/) also maintains information on seasonal back-to-school events. 211 is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day.
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