Minnesota Backpack Giveaways 2026 Minneapolis • Minnesota Backpack Giveaways

Important correction to the previous calendar

The earlier 92-row version included many dates carried over from an older statewide roundup. That roundup explicitly says only entries marked “UPDATED” have been refreshed for 2026. Unmarked entries are no longer presented here as validated 2026 events.

Search city, event or venue Month Category

Primary and official sources prioritized

Validated 2026 calendar

17 listings shown

July 20–August 14, 2026 Registration period

St. Louis Park

STEP Back to School Program

Organizer verified

STEP
6812 West Lake St., St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Category: Backpack program
What is offered: Confirmed — free backpack and grade-appropriate supplies
Registration: Required
Eligibility: Children who live in St. Louis Park or attend a St. Louis Park school

Source: STEP

July 21–23, 2026 Regular store hours

18 Minnesota locations

BeMobile 13th Annual Backpack Giveaway

Organizer verified

Select BeMobile Verizon stores
See participating-store list below

Category: Backpack giveaway
What is offered: Confirmed — backpack filled with school supplies
Registration: No; first come, first served
Eligibility: Students and families; one should confirm store inventory before traveling

No purchase necessary; while supplies last. The organizer’s Detroit Lakes City Center listing shows an inconsistent ZIP code, so verify that store in the locator.

Show participating locations (18)

Albert Lea — 2526 Bridge Ave., Suite A, Albert Lea, MN 56007
Alexandria — 611 3rd Ave. E., Suite 204, Alexandria, MN 56308
Bemidji — 119 Paul Bunyan Dr. NW, Suite C, Bemidji, MN 56601
Brainerd — 643 Washington St. NE, Brainerd, MN 56401
Detroit Lakes — 1435 Highway 10, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
Detroit Lakes City Center — 125 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Detroit Lakes, MN (verify ZIP in store locator)
Duluth — 2112 Maple Grove Rd., Duluth, MN 55811
Fergus Falls — 409 W. Lincoln Ave., Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Grand Rapids — 1200 S. Pokegama Ave., #10, Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Litchfield — 2226 East Frontage Rd., Suite 300, Litchfield, MN 55355
Little Falls — 120 11th St. NE, #1, Little Falls, MN 56345
Luverne — 626 S. Kniss Ave., #10, Luverne, MN 56156
Moorhead — 2523 8th St. S., Moorhead, MN 56560
New Ulm — 1609 S. Broadway St., New Ulm, MN 56073
Pipestone — 507 8th Ave. SE, Suite 2, Pipestone, MN 56164
Redwood Falls — 523 E. Bridge St., Redwood Falls, MN 56283
Thief River Falls — 1775 Highway 59 SW, Suite 105, Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Worthington — 1471 Humiston Ave., Worthington, MN 56187

Source: BeMobile

Sunday, July 26, 2026 1:00 p.m.; while supplies last

8 Minnesota stores

TCC School Rocks Backpack Giveaway

Retailer + current roundup verified

Participating TCC Verizon stores
Use the Minnesota store locator for the exact address

Category: Backpack giveaway
What is offered: Confirmed by participating-store locator
Registration: No; first come, first served
Eligibility: Children; while supplies last

TCC’s locator marks all eight Minnesota stores as backpack-giveaway participants; the current statewide roundup confirms the July 26, 1 p.m. campaign time.

Show participating locations (7)

Champlin
Cold Spring
Minneapolis (2 stores)
Minnetonka
Oak Park Heights
Rogers
Sauk Centre

Source: TCC Minnesota locator + current 2026 roundup · secondary verification

Sunday, July 26, 2026 1:00 p.m.; while supplies last

32 Minnesota stores

Wireless Zone School Rocks Backpack Giveaway

Retailer verified

Participating Wireless Zone stores
Use the Minnesota store locator for the exact address

Category: Backpack giveaway
What is offered: Confirmed — one free backpack per child
Registration: No; first come, first served
Eligibility: Children; while supplies last

The Minnesota locator identifies 32 participating stores across 31 listed cities. Check the locator before leaving because individual inventory can run out.

Show participating locations (31)

Albertville
Arden Hills
Austin
Baxter
Belle Plaine
Blaine
Buffalo
Cambridge
Chisago City
Eden Prairie
Farmington
Forest Lake
Hastings
Hugo
Inver Grove Heights
Lakeville
Maple Grove
Mora
North Branch
Paynesville
Pine City
Plymouth
Princeton
Ramsey
Rosemount
Saint Francis
Saint Louis Park
Saint Paul
Virginia
Winona
Zumbrota

Source: Wireless Zone event + Minnesota locator · secondary verification

Thursday, July 30, 2026 1:00–7:00 p.m.

Caledonia

Helping Hands Backpack Giveaway & Back-to-School Fair

Organizer verified

Immanuel Lutheran Church and MainSpring
419 E. Grove St., Caledonia, MN

Category: Backpack giveaway
What is offered: Confirmed — free backpacks and school supplies
Registration: No registration stated
Eligibility: Bring proof that each child is school-age, such as a report card or student ID

A free meal is also scheduled from 5–7 p.m.

Source: Family & Children’s Center

August 2026 — appointment date assigned By appointment

Glencoe and Hutchinson

Common Cup School Supply Distribution

Organizer verified; exact pickup date not public

Organizer-assigned distribution sites
Glencoe and Hutchinson, MN

Category: Backpack program
What is offered: Confirmed — students select a backpack and needed supplies
Registration: Required
Eligibility: McLeod County residents meeting program guidelines

The organizer confirms 2026–27 registration and August distributions, but exact family pickup dates are assigned after registration.

The 2026 date is supported, but one or more participation details remain pending.

Source: Common Cup Ministry

Tuesday, August 4, 2026 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

New Ulm

United Way of Brown County Backpack Project

Organizer verified

New Ulm Civic Center
1212 N. Franklin St., New Ulm, MN 56073

Category: Backpack distribution
What is offered: Confirmed — new backpack and school supplies
Registration: Application required
Eligibility: Brown County students in grades K–12 who qualify for school educational benefits

Pickup must be made in person unless alternate arrangements are approved.

Source: United Way of Brown County Area

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Forest Lake and Woodbury

Washington County School Supply Swap

County verified

North and South Environmental Centers
6065 Headwaters Pkwy., Forest Lake; 4039 Cottage Grove Dr., Woodbury

Category: School-supply swap
What is offered: Possible — gently used backpacks may be available
Registration: Not required
Eligibility: Free and open to everyone; donations are not required

This is a reuse swap, not a guaranteed new-backpack giveaway.

Source: Washington County

Thursday, August 6, 2026 3:00–5:00 p.m.

Shakopee

CAP Agency Backpacks for Success

Organizer verified

CAP Agency Shakopee parking lot
738 1st Ave. E., Shakopee, MN 55379

Category: Backpack distribution
What is offered: Confirmed — new backpack filled with supplies and books
Registration: Required through CAP program staff
Eligibility: Current CAP clients in Scott, Carver, or Dakota County with children through grade 12

The organizer says signups must be handled by CAP program staff; walk-up help is not guaranteed.

Source: CAP Agency

Monday, August 10, 2026 Appointment/distribution details through registration

Golden Valley

PRISM Back-to-School Success

Organizer verified

PRISM
1220 Zane Ave. N., Golden Valley, MN 55422

Category: Backpack program
What is offered: Confirmed — free backpack filled with school supplies
Registration: Required
Eligibility: K–12 families in Golden Valley, New Hope, Robbinsdale, Crystal, or Plymouth; residency and child documentation required

The organizer page identifies August 10 as the 2026 event date but does not publish a public walk-up time.

Source: PRISM

Saturday, August 15, 2026 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; entry closes at noon

Burnsville

School-A-Palooza

Organizer verified

Berean Baptist Church
309 County Road 42 E., Burnsville, MN 55306

Category: Backpack giveaway
What is offered: Confirmed — new backpacks and school essentials while supplies last
Registration: Pre-registration required
Eligibility: K–12 families in Dakota and Scott counties who need back-to-school assistance

The event also advertises shoes, winter coats, breakfast, interpreters, and community resources.

Source: Berean Baptist Church

August 17–21, 2026 By appointment

Hastings

Hastings Family Service School Supply Assistance

Organizer verified

Hastings Family Service
301 2nd St. E., Hastings, MN 55033

Category: School-supply assistance
What is offered: School supplies confirmed; backpack not expressly guaranteed
Registration: Call beginning August 3
Eligibility: Families living in or attending school in ISD 200

Do not label this as a guaranteed backpack giveaway unless the organizer adds that wording.

Source: Hastings Family Service

Thursday, August 20, 2026 5:00–8:00 p.m.

Brooklyn Park

Brooklyn Park Back to School Bash

Official 2026 date; details partly pending

Community Activity Center lawn
5600 85th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park, MN 55443

Category: Community event
What is offered: Backpacks advertised by the current statewide listing
Registration: Registration required; details pending
Eligibility: Families with children, with the official city sponsor page emphasizing K–8 supplies

The city’s 2026 sponsorship page confirms August 20 and school supplies; the event-specific page had not yet been refreshed from 2025 when checked.

The 2026 date is supported, but one or more participation details remain pending.

Source: City of Brooklyn Park + current 2026 roundup · secondary verification

Thursday, August 20, 2026 12:00–4:00 p.m.

Lakeville

Ready, Set, Achieve!

School district verified

Lakeville North High School Commons
19600 Ipava Ave., Lakeville, MN 55044

Category: School-supply event
What is offered: School supplies confirmed; do not guarantee a backpack
Registration: Check organizer page for participation details
Eligibility: Students enrolled in Lakeville Area Schools

The district confirms supplies and resources; backpack availability is not stated as guaranteed.

Source: Lakeville Area Schools

Saturday, August 22, 2026 Scheduled pickup appointments

Minnetonka

ResourceWest Back to School Program

Organizer verified

ResourceWest
13231 Minnetonka Dr., Minnetonka, MN 55305

Category: Backpack program
What is offered: Confirmed — new backpack filled with school supplies
Registration: Required; opened July 13
Eligibility: Families in the ResourceWest service area or Hopkins/Minnetonka school districts

Guardian ID, proof of address, and identification for each registered child are required at pickup.

Source: ResourceWest

Thursday, August 27, 2026 12:00–5:00 p.m.

Grand Rapids

Stuff the Bus Backpack Pick-Up Day

Organizer verified

Yanmar Arena
1401 NW 3rd Ave., Grand Rapids, MN

Category: Backpack distribution
What is offered: Confirmed — filled backpack
Registration: Preregistration required
Eligibility: Students and families in the service area

August 25–26 are donation/packing dates; August 27 is the public pickup date.

Source: United Way of 1000 Lakes

Saturday, September 19, 2026 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

St. Paul

CLUES Fiesta Latina 2026

Organizer verified

CHS Field
360 N. Broadway St., St. Paul, MN 55101

Category: Community event
What is offered: Confirmed — backpack giveaway
Registration: Free public festival; check organizer FAQ
Eligibility: Family-friendly community event

Also includes health screenings, music, activities, resources, and a job fair.

Source: CLUES

No validated listings match those filters.

Useful leads, excluded from structured event data

Reconfirm before traveling

These are not counted as organizer-verified.

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Circle Pines

Back to School Free Swap

Current roundup / Facebook only — reconfirm

Centennial Library Community Room
100 Civic Heights Cir., Circle Pines, MN

Category: Community swap
What is offered: Possible — backpacks may be among available items
Registration: Not stated
Eligibility: Community families

The roundup marks this as updated for 2026, but an independently accessible organizer page was not found.

Call, message, or check the organizer’s live event listing before traveling.

Source: Current statewide roundup

August 7–8, 2026 Fri. 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Sat. 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Roseville

Ramsey County School Supply Swap

Current roundup; official page inaccessible — reconfirm

Ramsey County Environmental Center
1700 Kent St., Roseville, MN

Category: School-supply swap
What is offered: Possible — gently used backpacks may be available
Registration: Not stated
Eligibility: Community members

Keep outside structured Event schema until the official county page can be independently checked.

Call, message, or check the organizer’s live event listing before traveling.

Source: Current statewide roundup

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 5:00–7:00 p.m. or while supplies last

Le Sueur

School Supply Handout

Current roundup / Facebook only — reconfirm

United Methodist Church of Le Sueur
730 S. 6th St., Le Sueur, MN

Category: School-supply giveaway
What is offered: Supply bags advertised; backpack not guaranteed
Registration: Not stated
Eligibility: Elementary and middle/high-school students

Phone or message the organizer before traveling.

Call, message, or check the organizer’s live event listing before traveling.

Source: Current statewide roundup

Saturday, August 15, 2026 11:00 a.m.

Maplewood

Back to School Supply Giveaway

Current roundup / Facebook only — reconfirm

Maplewood Home Care
1736 Cope Ave. E., Suite 2, Maplewood, MN

Category: School-supply giveaway
What is offered: School supplies only; backpack not guaranteed
Registration: First come, first served
Eligibility: Community families

Do not classify as a backpack giveaway unless the organizer explicitly adds backpacks.

Call, message, or check the organizer’s live event listing before traveling.

Source: Current statewide roundup

Saturday, August 15, 2026 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Brooklyn Park

Honored 2 Help Back 2 School BBQ

Current roundup / Eventbrite lead — reconfirm

Park Center High School
7300 Brooklyn Blvd., Brooklyn Park, MN

Category: Backpack giveaway
What is offered: Advertised — more than 5,000 filled backpacks
Registration: Check event listing
Eligibility: Community families

The event is marked updated for 2026, but the original ticket page could not be independently retrieved during validation.

Call, message, or check the organizer’s live event listing before traveling.

Source: Current statewide roundup

August 15 or August 18, 2026 Sat. 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; Tue. 5:00–9:00 p.m.

St. Michael

Project Pencils Pickup

Current roundup; organizer site protected — reconfirm

Address supplied after approval
St. Michael, MN

Category: School-supply program
What is offered: School supplies requested; backpack details should be confirmed
Registration: Required
Eligibility: K–12 students attending a public school in person in Wright County and meeting need criteria

The pickup address is sent after confirmation.

Call, message, or check the organizer’s live event listing before traveling.

Source: Current statewide roundup

Thursday, August 27, 2026 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Brooklyn Center

Back to School Event

Current roundup / Facebook only — reconfirm

Centennial Park
6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy., Brooklyn Center, MN

Category: Community event
What is offered: Limited backpacks advertised; child must be present
Registration: Not stated
Eligibility: Students attending with family

The event listing also advertises food, games, vendors, resources, and a movie after sundown.

Call, message, or check the organizer’s live event listing before traveling.

Source: Current statewide roundup

Validation methodology

Checked the existing Minnesota page and its source mix.
Validated exact 2026 dates, times, locations, eligibility and registration against organizer, retailer, school-district, county or nonprofit pages.
Used the statewide roundup only for entries it specifically marks “UPDATED,” and labeled those separately when the original event page could not be retrieved.
Separated definite backpack giveaways from school-supply-only events and reuse swaps.
Excluded uncertain events from Event structured data to avoid publishing misleading schema.