Are these events free?
The listings advertise free backpacks, school supplies or related resources. The Roseville festival is free but lists a $15 parking fee.
Important: “Confirmed” means a current 2026 date and useful event details were found in an accessible organizer, government, school-district or event-host source. It does not guarantee registration space or inventory. Entries marked “Verify” rely on a social post, directory listing, an incomplete source or a published conflict.
Upcoming California backpack and school-supply events
44 of 44 listings shown.
| Date & time | City / area | Event | Location | Who / how to receive | What is offered | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10:30 AM–4:30 PM |
Northern California offices | Alta California Regional Center Backpack GiveawayRetained Confirmed |
Participating offices in Sacramento, Grass Valley, Placerville, Roseville, South Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Woodland and Yuba City | Registration required; available while supplies last. | Free backpack pickup at participating Alta California Regional Center offices. | Registration required | Alta California Regional Center ↗ |
4:30–6:30 PM |
Sacramento | Annual Backpack Giveaway 2026Retained Confirmed |
Northgate Park, 2825 Mendel Way, Sacramento, CA 95833 | Online tickets are sold out, but the organizer states that walk-ups are accepted; first come, first served. | Backpacks, school supplies, lunch, haircuts, bicycle repairs and community resources. | Walk-ups accepted | Eventbrite organizer listing ↗ |
10:00 AM–12:00 PM |
California City | Kern County Ready-Set Back 2 School Free Backpack GiveawayRetained Confirmed |
California City Branch Library, 9507 California City Blvd., California City, CA | K–12 child must be present with an adult; one backpack per child. | Free backpack, school supplies and family resources while supplies last. | While supplies last | Kern County ↗ |
10:00 AM–12:00 PM |
Sacramento | San Juan Unified Back to School FairRetained Confirmed |
El Camino High School, 4300 El Camino Ave., Sacramento, CA | No registration required; first 250 families; up to two supplied backpacks per family. | Backpacks, food boxes, diapers, learning materials, lunch and an indoor resource fair. | First 250 families | San Juan Unified School District ↗ |
2:00 PM; end time not published |
San Pedro | Boost Mobile Back-to-School Free Backpack GiveawayAdded Probable |
Boost Mobile, 1306 S. Gaffey St., Suite 104, San Pedro, CA 90731 | One backpack per student; parent or legal guardian must accompany the student; no purchase required; while supplies last. | Free backpack for students at the participating San Pedro store. | Verify end time | Eventbrite listing / Boost store ↗ |
Time in registration confirmation |
Rocklin | Destiny Church Rocklin Backpack GiveawayRetained Confirmed |
Destiny Rocklin, 6900 Destiny Dr., Rocklin, CA 95677; verify check-in instructions. | Registration required; program information is directed to local families and Title I school communities. | Backpacks with supplies, clothing, shoes, haircuts, BBQ, games and family activities. | Register / verify time | Destiny Christian Church ↗ |
9:00 AM–12:00 PM |
Carmichael | Midas Carmichael Backpack GiveawayAdded Probable |
Midas, 6840 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael, CA 95608 | First come, first served; child must be present. | Free backpacks and school supplies while inventory lasts. | Social source / verify | Organizer social post ↗ |
9:00 AM–2:00 PM |
Lancaster | City of Lancaster Annual Backpack GiveawayRetained Confirmed |
Lancaster event hub assigned through registration; follow confirmation instructions. | Registration required. | Backpacks, school supplies, immunizations, health and dental services, groceries and community resources. | Registration required | City of Lancaster ↗ |
10:00 AM–1:00 PM |
Inglewood | 5th Annual Backpack Giveaway and Health FairCorrected Confirmed |
Crozier Middle School, 120 W. Regent St., Inglewood, CA 90301 | Registration is not required; backpacks and services are first come, first served. | Free backpacks, school supplies, health and dental screenings, braiding, barber services and community resources. | No registration | Assemblymember Tina McKinnor ↗ |
10:00 AM; end time not published |
Upland | Foothill Family Shelter Back to School Bash 2026Retained Probable |
St. Mark’s Episcopal Parish, Upland, CA | Review Eventbrite ticket and registration instructions before traveling. | Free backpacks, resources and family activities. | Register / verify | Eventbrite organizer listing ↗ |
10:00 AM–12:00 PM |
Chico | Promise Church 7th Annual Backpack GiveawayRetained Confirmed |
Promise Church, 175 Chico Canyon Rd., Chico, CA 95928 | TK–12 children must be present; while supplies last. | More than 200 backpacks filled with school supplies. | While supplies last | Promise Church ↗ |
10:00 AM–2:00 PM |
Los Angeles / South Central | IBTU 7th Annual Back 2 School Festival — South CentralRetained Confirmed |
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, 3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90008 | Organizer states no registration and no identification are required. | Backpacks with grade-appropriate supplies, haircuts, screenings, food and community resources. | No registration | It’s Bigger Than Us ↗ |
10:00 AM–2:00 PM |
Richmond | Community Block Party & Back-to-School Backpack GiveawayRetained Confirmed |
123 Macdonald Ave., Richmond, CA 94801 | For Pre-K–12 children in need; free public event; preregistration is open. | Backpacks, school supplies and community resource tables. | Preregister | Eventbrite organizer listing ↗ |
10:00 AM–2:00 PM |
Roseville | Healthy Families Fitness Festival & Annual Backpack DriveRetained Confirmed |
@the Grounds, 700 Event Center Dr., Roseville, CA 95678 | Festival admission is free; organizer lists $15 parking. | Annual backpack drive, youth sports clinics, vendors, food and health and wellness resources. | Free event / $15 parking | @the Grounds ↗ |
10:00 AM–3:00 PM |
Santa Rosa | SCIHP School Backpack Giveaway 2026Retained Confirmed |
SCIHP Community Room, 144 Stony Point Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95401 | Review the organizer flyer or call for recipient requirements. | School backpack giveaway hosted by Sonoma County Indian Health Project. | Confirmed / verify rules | Sonoma County Indian Health Project ↗ |
11:00 AM–1:00 PM |
Ontario | Bless the Block Backpack GiveawayAdded Probable |
1010 S. Bon View Ave., Ontario, CA 91761 | Registration is encouraged but does not guarantee a backpack; minors must attend with a parent or legal guardian. | Free backpacks and school supplies while supplies last. | Register / limited | Eventbrite organizer listing ↗ |
12:00–3:00 PM |
San Diego | Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway & Resource FairRetained Confirmed |
San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101 | For K–12 students; free admission; reservations are not required. | Free backpacks, school supplies and community resources. | No reservation | San Diego Unified School District ↗ |
10:00 AM–3:00 PM |
Pasadena | 3rd Annual Dena Community Backpack GiveawayRetained Confirmed |
Rose Bowl Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena, CA 91103 | Registration required. | Free backpacks filled with school supplies, resources and family activities. | Registration required | Rose Bowl Stadium ↗ |
11:00 AM–2:00 PM |
Los Angeles | Los Angeles Community Church Annual Back-to-School GiveawayRetained Confirmed |
Los Angeles Community Church, 2100 W. 54th St., Los Angeles, CA 90062 | Registration is sold out; children must be present; priority is given to ZIP codes 90043 and 90062. | Backpacks and essential school supplies; check for cancellations or a walk-up policy. | Sold out / check | Eventbrite organizer listing ↗ |
9:00 AM–12:00 PM |
Rocklin | Back to School Bash — Community StrongAdded Confirmed |
Placer County office campus, 1000 Sunset Blvd., Rocklin, CA 95765 | Children must be present; backpacks and supplies are limited; arrive early. | Free backpack and school supplies plus family and community resources. | Limited / arrive early | Placer County ↗ |
5:30–8:00 PM |
Sacramento | Franklin Boulevard Back-to-School GiveawayAdded Probable |
La Familia Maple Neighborhood Center, 3301 37th Ave., Sacramento, CA 95824 | Supplies are limited; follow the organizer’s social post for current instructions. | Backpacks and school supplies, meals for the first 500 attendees and family activities. | Social source / limited | Organizer social post ↗ |
10:00 AM–1:00 PM |
Torrance | Harbor Regional Center Annual Back-to-School Backpack GiveawayRetained Confirmed |
Harbor Regional Center Main Building, 21309 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503 | For Harbor Regional Center individuals and siblings ages 3–22; registration required; first come, first served. | Annual backpack distribution through the Harbor Family Resource Center. | Eligibility / registration | Harbor Regional Center ↗ |
9:00 AM–12:00 PM |
Bakersfield | 17th Annual Ready-Set Back 2 School Health & Wellness FairRetained Confirmed |
Kern County Museum, 3801 Chester Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 | K–12 child must be present with an adult; one backpack per child; first come, first served. | Free backpack, school supplies, health and wellness services, family resources, games and activities. | First come | Kern County Child Support Services ↗ |
10:00 AM–1:00 PM |
Long Beach | Harbor Regional Center Annual Back-to-School Backpack GiveawayRetained Confirmed |
Harbor Regional Center, 1155 E. San Antonio Dr., Long Beach, CA 90807 | For Harbor Regional Center individuals and siblings ages 3–22; registration required; first come, first served. | Annual backpack distribution through the Harbor Family Resource Center. | Eligibility / registration | Harbor Regional Center ↗ |
4:00–6:00 PM |
Santa Ana | Boost Mobile Back-to-School Free Backpack GiveawayAdded Confirmed |
Boost Mobile, 1015 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana, CA 92703 | One backpack per student; parent or legal guardian must accompany the student; no purchase required; while supplies last. | Free backpack for students at the participating Santa Ana store. | While supplies last | Eventbrite / Boost Mobile ↗ |
4:00–7:00 PM |
Sacramento | The A+ List Back2School Kickoff FestAdded Confirmed |
Washington Elementary, 520 18th St., Sacramento, CA 95811 | Backpack registration is sold out; the community festival remains free to attend unless the organizer changes access. | Backpacks for preregistered students, food, music, games, supplies, raffles and family resources. | Backpacks sold out | Eventbrite organizer listing ↗ |
5:30–7:30 PM |
Rosemead | City of Rosemead Backpack GiveawayAdded Confirmed |
Rosemead Park, 4343 Encinita Ave., Rosemead, CA | TK–12 child must attend with a parent or guardian; bring ID or a utility bill showing a Rosemead address. City residents receive priority. | Free backpack filled with basic school supplies while supplies last. | Resident priority | Garvey School District community notice ↗ |
Time in registration confirmation |
Sacramento | Destiny Church Sacramento Backpack GiveawayRetained Confirmed |
Destiny Sacramento, 9470 Micron Ave., Sacramento, CA 95827 | Registration required; program information is directed to local families and Title I school communities. | Backpacks with supplies, clothing, shoes, haircuts, BBQ, games and family activities. | Register / verify time | Destiny Christian Church ↗ |
7:00 AM until supplies run out |
Indio | Coachella Valley Rescue Mission School Supply Drive GiveawayRetained Confirmed |
Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, 47-470 Van Buren St., Indio, CA 92201 | Coachella Valley residents ages 0–17; children must be present; first come, first served. | Drive-through backpack and school-supply distribution. | First come | Coachella Valley Rescue Mission ↗ |
8:00–10:00 AM |
San Diego | Senator Weber Pierson Backpack Giveaway & Family Resource FairRetained Confirmed |
The O’Farrell Charter School lower lot, 6130 Skyline Dr., San Diego, CA 92114 | First come, first served. | Backpacks filled with school supplies plus legislative and community resources. | First come | California Senate District 39 ↗ |
9:00 AM–1:00 PM |
Hayward | 5th Annual Backpack Giveaway, Resource Fair & Car ShowRetained Confirmed |
HUSD Parent Resource Center Hub, back parking lot, 24823 Soto Rd., Hayward, CA 94544 | No registration required for backpacks; first come, first served. | Backpacks, health and educational resources, student activities and family services. | No registration | Hayward Unified School District ↗ |
9:00–11:00 AM |
Redlands | Micah House Back2School JamRetained Confirmed |
Sylvan Park–Micah House Chapel, 611 Chapel St., Redlands, CA | Students must be present; while supplies last. | Free backpacks filled with school supplies, bicycle giveaways, haircuts, food, games and community resources. | While supplies last | Micah House Redlands ↗ |
10:00 AM–1:00 PM |
Los Angeles | Opportunity Exposed Back-to-School Community Giveback & Higher Education FairRetained Probable |
See the registration page for the confirmed Los Angeles venue. | Registration recommended; verify the venue and distribution details before traveling. | Free school supplies and higher-education/community resources; a backpack is not guaranteed for every child. | School supplies / verify | Eventbrite organizer listing ↗ |
10:00 AM–12:00 PM |
Los Angeles | 7th Annual Kobe Day Back-to-School Backpack GiveawayCorrected Confirmed |
13305 San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90061 | Review organizer instructions; backpacks and supplies are limited. | Backpacks, school supplies, youth meals, sports and family activities. | Confirm availability | Impact LA ↗ |
11:00 AM–2:00 PM |
Los Angeles | 2nd Annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway & FunRetained Confirmed |
1851 W. 54th St., Los Angeles, CA | Registration is required and children must attend. Tickets are currently sold out. | Free backpacks with supplies, food, music, shaved ice, cotton candy and family activities. | Sold out | Eventbrite organizer listing ↗ |
6:00 PM; end time not published |
Redding | Bethel Backpack Giveaway 2026: Built for the BattleCorrected Confirmed |
Tiger Field, 1000 W. Cypress Ave., Redding, CA 96001 | Check the organizer page for registration and remaining availability. | Free food, activities and backpacks filled with school supplies. | Register / verify | Bethel Church ↗ |
9:00 AM–1:00 PM |
Santa Ana | Mayor Valerie Amezcua’s 3rd Annual Back-to-School Resource FairRetained Confirmed |
Santa Ana Elks Lodge #794, 1751 S. Elk Lane, Santa Ana, CA 92705 | For SAUSD students; register the child; backpacks are available while supplies last. | Free backpacks with supplies, haircuts, job resources, medical, vision and dental screenings, and community services. | Register / limited | California Civil Rights Department ↗ |
12:00–4:00 PM |
Pasadena | Revive Restore Renew Back-to-School Backpack Community EventRetained Probable |
Pasadena City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave., Pasadena, CA | Registration recommended; confirm recipient rules before traveling. | Backpack giveaway, community resources, activities and family support. | Register / verify | Eventbrite event directory ↗ |
12:00–2:00 PM |
Bellflower | Chick-fil-A Backpack GiveawayCorrected Probable |
Chick-fil-A, 9333 Rosecrans Ave., Bellflower, CA 90706 | Recipient rules are not published. The district calendar groups the event under August 10, while its link label says August 11; confirm the date directly. | Backpack giveaway listed on the Bellflower Unified School District calendar. | Date conflict / verify | Bellflower Unified School District ↗ |
4:00–6:00 PM |
Sacramento | Meadowview Family Resource Center Backpack GiveawayAdded Probable |
2251 Florin Rd., Sacramento, CA 95822 | Registration required; first 500 registered families with school-age children. | Backpacks and school supplies for registered families. | Registration required | Organizer social post ↗ |
8:30 AM–12:30 PM |
Sacramento | Councilmember Kaplan’s Back-to-School GiveawayAdded Probable |
North Natomas Regional Park, 4989 Natomas Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95835 | First come, first served; confirm current inventory and distribution instructions. | Free school supplies for students. | First come / verify | Organizer social post ↗ |
10:00 AM–2:00 PM |
Los Angeles / Venice Beach | IBTU 7th Annual Back 2 School — Venice BeachRetained Confirmed |
Windward Plaza, Venice Beach Boardwalk, 517 Ocean Front Walk, Los Angeles, CA 90291 | Open to families; review RSVP instructions. | More than 2,500 backpacks and school supplies, diapers, screenings, performers, games and community resources. | RSVP / confirm | IBTU / Eventbrite ↗ |
10:00 AM–2:00 PM |
Pasadena | Jade Marlin Foundation School Supplies & Backpack GiveawayRetained Confirmed |
900 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena, CA | Children must be present to receive a backpack; registration recommended. | Free backpacks, school supplies and face painting. | Register | Eventbrite organizer listing ↗ |
11:00 AM–2:00 PM |
Upland | Pacific Community Center Back 2 School Backpack GiveawayCorrected Confirmed |
Pacific Community Center, 814 Alpine St., Upland, CA 91786 | Confirm public distribution and any registration requirements with the organizer. | Free backpacks filled through the center’s school-supply donation drive. | Verify registration | Pacific Community Center / Eventbrite ↗ |
Completed events and passed registration deadlines (25)
Past events and closed registration windows were moved from the active calendar rather than deleted from the historical record.
| Date | City | Event / correction | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 9, 2026 | Oakley | Diablo Water District Backpack Giveaway | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 10, 2026 | San Bernardino | East Valley Backpack Giveaway / Young Visionaries | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 11, 2026 | Inglewood | 2026 Back to School Community Fair | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 15, 2026 | Chino | City of Chino Back-to-School Giveaway registration deadline | Registration deadline passed | Source ↗ |
| July 17, 2026 | Ridgecrest | Kern County Ready-Set Back 2 School Giveaway | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 18, 2026 | Los Angeles / Koreatown | Kheir Clinic Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 18, 2026 | Moreno Valley | Assemblymember Corey Jackson Community BBQ & Backpack Giveaway | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 18, 2026 | Ontario | iD.A.Y.dream 6th Annual Backpack & School Supplies Giveaway | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 18, 2026 | Rancho Cucamonga | Children and Family Services Community Backpack Giveaway | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 18, 2026 | Riverside | Project Boon Back-to-School Backpack Event | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 19, 2026 | Murrieta | NBC Backpack Giveaway 2026 | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 21, 2026 | Wasco | Kern County Ready-Set Back 2 School Free Backpack Giveaway | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 22, 2026 | Fresno | Binational of California Backpack Giveaway — corrected historical venue: 3302 N. Blackstone Ave., Suite 221, Fresno | Completed / corrected | Source ↗ |
| July 23, 2026 | Buttonwillow | Kern County Ready-Set Back 2 School Free Backpack Giveaway | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 24, 2026 | Fallbrook | Fallbrook Backpack Giveaway & Resource Fair | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 24, 2026 | Orange County | 3rd Annual Summer Extravaganza & Backpack Giveaway | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 25, 2026 | Thermal | La Chicanita Market Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 25, 2026 | Concord | MDUSD Community Resource Fair & Backpack Giveaway | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 25, 2026 | Los Angeles | Turning Point AOD Backpack Giveaway 2026 | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 25, 2026 | San Bernardino | Children and Family Services Community Backpack Giveaway | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 25, 2026 | Ontario | Malo 9th Ikuna Backpack Distribution | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 25, 2026 | Murrieta | 2nd Annual Military Child Backpack Giveaway | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 27, 2026 | Laton | Laton Elementary Backpack Giveaway | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 27, 2026 | Stockton | Big Valley Ford Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway | Completed | Source ↗ |
| July 27, 2026 | Lakewood | Project Shepherd Summer Backpack Giveaway registration deadline | Deadline passed; pickup remains limited to approved registrants | Source ↗ |
Excluded or awaiting confirmation (5)
These leads were reviewed but are not presented as confirmed active 2026 giveaways.
| Lead | Why it was not added | Publisher action | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEND Back to School Stars | The public organizer page does not provide an open pickup time, address or attendance instructions. | Keep outside the dated calendar until recipient details are published. | Source checked ↗ |
| Riverside County Family Support Resource Fair — Aug. 9 | Published wording conflicts by calling August 9, 2026 a Saturday; August 9 is Sunday. | Exclude until the county or organizer confirms the correct date. | Source checked ↗ |
| Wireless Zone Ontario and Barstow | The individual location pages state that these stores are not participating in the 2026 School Rocks giveaway. | Do not list either store. | Source checked ↗ |
| East Palo Alto Family Day / Back to School Carnival | Accessible listings conflict on venue and event title, and backpack distribution rules remain unclear. | Recheck the city or organizer flyer before adding. | Source checked ↗ |
| OCH Sacramento Backpack Giveaway — Aug. 7 | A current secondary listing gives an August 7 date, but the linked organizer page is still a 2025 page and accessible sources conflict on the street number. | Hold in review until OCH publishes a current 2026 event page or flyer. | Source checked ↗ |
What should families bring?
Bring the child and any requested proof of residence, age, enrollment, military connection or economic need. Read the linked source first.
Why are some rows marked Verify?
One important detail—such as the time, date, exact venue, inventory or recipient rule—was not fully published or conflicts across accessible sources.