20active upcoming giveaway/event rows
15confirmed public events
4registration-required/requested events
1full or unavailable event
Before traveling
Backpacks are usually distributed while supplies last. Bring the student when required, carry the listed proof-of-residency or identity documents, and check the linked source on the day of the event. The Operation Homefront Norfolk event remains listed for accuracy but is marked Full and should not be treated as an available pickup.
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Showing all 20 active events.
Active 2026 Virginia Backpack Giveaway Calendar
| # | Status / type | Event | City / area | Date & time | Location | What is offered | Requirements / notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ConfirmedPublic event | Culpeper County Public Schools 3rd Annual Back-to-School Bash | Culpeper | August 1, 2026 9:00 AM–12:00 PM |
Culpeper County High School, 14240 Achievement Drive, Culpeper, VA | Free backpacks filled with school supplies, food, free haircuts, games, vendors and family resources. | Free and open to Culpeper County Public Schools students and families; visit the appropriate school table. | Culpeper County Public Schools |
| 2 | RegistrationPublic event | Luray SDA Church Backpack Giveaway | Luray / Page County | August 1, 2026 10:00 AM–12:00 PM |
Luray Fire Department, 1 Fire House Lane, Luray, VA 22835 | Free backpack with school essentials. | Review the ticket or registration page before attending; supplies are limited. | Luray SDA Church / Eventbrite |
| 3 | ConfirmedPublic event | Fairfax County Back-to-School Community Day | Lorton / Fairfax County | August 1, 2026 10:00 AM–2:00 PM |
Lorton Community Center, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton, VA 22079 | Backpacks and school supplies, health screenings, food, music, games, exhibitors and family services. | Fairfax County residents only; proof of home address checked. Without children present, one backpack per parent; with children present, one per child. First come, first served. | Fairfax County |
| 4 | ConfirmedPublic event | Project Backpack — Lancaster County / Northern Neck | Kilmarnock / Lancaster County | August 1, 2026 3:00 PM–4:00 PM |
Lancaster County Elementary School, 191 School St, Kilmarnock, VA 22482 | Backpacks filled with school supplies, water bottles, pens, pencils and other essentials. | For elementary students; student must be present; one backpack per student; first come, first served. Pre-registration recommended. | Project Backpack |
| 5 | RegistrationPublic event | Prince Hall Lodge No. 61 Backpack & School Supply Giveaway | Fredericksburg | August 2, 2026 2:00 PM–4:00 PM |
Prince Hall Lodge No. 61, 3418 Shannon Park Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408 | 50 backpacks with school supplies for elementary and middle-school students. | Registration requested through the host’s event page; supplies are limited. | Prince Hall Lodge No. 61 |
| 6 | ConfirmedPublic event | New Life Outreach Church Annual Backpack Giveaway | North Chesterfield | August 2, 2026 3:00 PM–6:00 PM; registration begins 2:15 PM |
1005 Turner Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23225 | Backpacks filled with school supplies for all grades; free haircuts after the service at approximately 4:30 PM. | First come, first served, while supplies last. | New Life Outreach Church |
| 7 | ConfirmedPublic event | Kalfus & Nachman 5th Annual Backpack Bash | Norfolk / Hampton Roads | August 8, 2026 9:00 AM–12:00 PM |
Kalfus & Nachman Norfolk Office, 870 N Military Highway, Suite 300, Norfolk, VA 23502 | More than 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies, educational activities, music, games and family entertainment. | Child must be present; first come, first served, while supplies last. Optional Fast Track registration does not guarantee a backpack. | Kalfus & Nachman |
| 8 | ConfirmedPublic event | The Salvation Army “Write Stuff” Backpack Distribution — Suffolk Corps | Suffolk / Western Tidewater | August 8, 2026 10:00 AM–12:00 PM |
The Salvation Army Suffolk Corps, 400 Bank St, Suffolk, VA 23434 | Free backpacks filled with school supplies for K–12 students in need. | Suffolk and Western Tidewater residents. Parent or guardian must bring unexpired government ID, proof of residency and the child’s birth certificate. While supplies last. | The Salvation Army Hampton Roads |
| 9 | ConfirmedPublic event | Unity in the Community Back 2 School Celebration | Norfolk | August 8, 2026 10:00 AM–2:00 PM |
Norfolk Scope, 201 E Brambleton Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510 | Backpack and school-supply distribution, immunizations, health screenings, city and community resources, and raffle prizes. | Open to Norfolk preschool, elementary, middle and high-school students. Free parking at the Scope; supplies are limited. | Norfolk Public Schools |
| 10 | ConfirmedPublic event | Albemarle County Back-to-School Bash | Charlottesville / Albemarle County | August 9, 2026 12:00 PM–4:00 PM |
Fashion Square Mall, former JCPenney space, 1639 Rio Rd E, Charlottesville, VA 22901 | Backpacks filled with essential school supplies, community partners, music, food, games and activities. | Regional community event for students and families; register for school supplies through the organizer page. | Albemarle Foundation for Education |
| 11 | FullEligibility-limited event | Operation Homefront Back-to-School Brigade — Norfolk | Norfolk / Hampton Roads | August 14, 2026 10:00 AM–12:00 PM |
Norfolk, VA — exact venue provided to registered families | Back-to-school supplies for eligible military children in grades K–12. | Organizer currently lists the event as FULL. DEERS-enrolled military dependents; eligible E1–E6 active-duty families and post-9/11 wounded, ill or injured service-member families. | Operation Homefront |
| 12 | ConfirmedPublic event | The Salvation Army “Write Stuff” Backpack Distribution — Kroc Center (Friday) | Norfolk / Chesapeake / Virginia Beach | August 14, 2026 4:00 PM–7:00 PM |
Kroc Center Hampton Roads, 1401 Ballentine Blvd, Norfolk, VA | Free backpacks filled with school supplies for K–12 students in need. | Residents of Norfolk, Chesapeake or Virginia Beach. Parent or guardian must bring unexpired government ID, proof of residency and the child’s birth certificate. While supplies last. | The Salvation Army Hampton Roads |
| 13 | ConfirmedPublic event | The Salvation Army “Write Stuff” Backpack Distribution — Portsmouth Corps | Portsmouth / select Chesapeake ZIP codes | August 14, 2026 4:00 PM–7:00 PM |
The Salvation Army Portsmouth Corps, 2306 Airline Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23701 | Free backpacks filled with school supplies for K–12 students in need. | Portsmouth residents and Chesapeake residents in ZIP codes 23321 and 23323. Parent or guardian must bring unexpired government ID, proof of residency and the child’s birth certificate. While supplies last. | The Salvation Army Hampton Roads |
| 14 | ConfirmedPublic event | The Salvation Army “Write Stuff” Backpack Distribution — Kroc Center (Saturday) | Norfolk / Chesapeake / Virginia Beach | August 15, 2026 9:00 AM–12:00 PM |
Kroc Center Hampton Roads, 1401 Ballentine Blvd, Norfolk, VA | Free backpacks filled with school supplies for K–12 students in need. | Residents of Norfolk, Chesapeake or Virginia Beach. Parent or guardian must bring unexpired government ID, proof of residency and the child’s birth certificate. While supplies last. | The Salvation Army Hampton Roads |
| 15 | ConfirmedPublic event | Henrico County Public Schools Back-to-School Kickoff | Glen Allen / Henrico County | August 15, 2026 10:00 AM–3:00 PM |
Henrico Sports & Events Center, 1 All Star Blvd, Glen Allen, VA 23059 | Free backpacks and school supplies, family resources, parent workshops, carnival activities, entertainment and vaccinations for eligible students. | Free and open to students and families across Henrico County; backpacks and supplies available while supplies last. | Henrico County Public Schools |
| 16 | RegistrationPublic event | Urban League of Hampton Roads Project Ready Back-to-School Block Party | Chesapeake | August 15, 2026 10:00 AM–2:00 PM |
Western Branch High School, 1968 Bruin Place, Chesapeake, VA 23321 | Backpacks, school supplies, free haircuts, family activities and community resources. | Free registration requested through the organizer’s Eventbrite page; supplies are limited. | Urban League of Hampton Roads / Eventbrite |
| 17 | RegistrationPublic event | BetterALife Back-to-School Backpack & School Supplies Giveaway | Purcellville / Loudoun County | August 15, 2026 11:30 AM; end time not posted |
BetterALife, 201 N Maple Ave, Unit E, Purcellville, VA 20132 | Free food, family fun, bookbags and school supplies. | Register or check the organizer page before attending; supplies are limited. | BetterALife |
| 18 | ConfirmedPublic event | Prince William County Schools / PWCC Free Community Event | Woodbridge / Prince William County | August 15, 2026 11:00 AM–2:00 PM |
Freedom High School, 15201 Neabsco Mills Rd, Woodbridge, VA 22191 | Free backpacks and school supplies, food, STEM activities, career exploration and family entertainment. | Student must be present to receive backpack or supplies; no registration required; while supplies last. Outdoor event, rain or shine. | Prince William County Public Schools |
| 19 | ConfirmedPublic event | Virginia Beach City Public Schools Back-to-School Care Fair | Virginia Beach | August 15, 2026 12:00 PM–4:00 PM |
Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 | Free backpacks and school supplies, health services, vision screenings, vaccinations, physicals and haircuts. | For Virginia Beach City Public Schools students and families; review district updates and any service registration requirements before attending. | Virginia Beach City Public Schools |
| 20 | ConfirmedPublic event | Project Backpack — Alexandria / Fairfax County | Alexandria / Fairfax County | August 15, 2026 3:00 PM–5:00 PM |
Blaszkow Legal, 5270 Shawnee Rd, Alexandria, VA 22312 | Backpacks filled with school supplies, water bottles, pens, pencils and other essentials. | For elementary students; student must be present; one backpack per student; first come, first served. Pre-registration recommended. | Project Backpack |
School-based assistance and donation programs
These programs support backpack distribution but are not general public walk-up giveaway events, so they are excluded from the active event count.
| Program | Area | Deadline / period | How it works | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FACETS Back-to-School Drive | Fairfax County | Collecting through July 31, 2026 | Goal: pack and distribute 2,000 backpacks with essential school supplies to Fairfax County Public Schools students. Donation and partner distribution program; not a general walk-up giveaway. | FACETS |
| Alexandria City Public Schools Backpack & School Supply Drive | Alexandria | Collecting through August 10, 2026 | Goal: 3,500 stuffed backpacks distributed through ACPS schools to students in need. Families seeking assistance should contact their school; not a general walk-up pickup. | Alexandria City Public Schools |
Completed events removed from the active calendar
- BeMobile Verizon 13th Annual Backpack Giveaway — Arlington — July 21–23, 2026. Completed; removed from active calendar.
- BeMobile Verizon 13th Annual Backpack Giveaway — Ashburn — July 21–23, 2026. Completed; removed from active calendar.
- BeMobile Verizon 13th Annual Backpack Giveaway — Centreville — July 21–23, 2026. Completed; removed from active calendar.
- BeMobile Verizon 13th Annual Backpack Giveaway — Fredericksburg Gateway — July 21–23, 2026. Completed; removed from active calendar.
- BeMobile Verizon 13th Annual Backpack Giveaway — Fredericksburg Plank Road — July 21–23, 2026. Completed; removed from active calendar.
- BeMobile Verizon 13th Annual Backpack Giveaway — Richmond — July 21–23, 2026. Completed; removed from active calendar.
- Operation Homefront Back-to-School Brigade — Springfield — July 25, 2026. Event date passed; prior listing was waitlisted.
- Wireless Zone / Verizon School Rocks Backpack Giveaway — participating Virginia stores — July 26, 2026. Event date passed; removed from active calendar.
Verify-first leads not published as active events
| Lead | Reported date | Decision | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpack Giveaway — 1300 New York Ave, Glen Allen | August 8, 2026, 9:00 AM | Not added to active calendar | Only a secondary event-index listing was located; no sufficiently specific organizer or primary-source page was found during this validation pass. |
| Bent Mountain / Roanoke-area Back-to-School Drive | August 2, 2026, 1:00 PM–4:00 PM | Not added to public giveaway calendar | Public post describes a donation and support drive for unhoused students, but does not establish a general walk-up backpack distribution. |
Validation methodology
Primary organizer, school-district, local-government and nonprofit pages are prioritized. Current organizer-hosted registration or social pages are used when no conventional event page is available. Donation drives are separated from public pickup events. Secondary listings are not promoted to the active calendar without enough current detail to identify the organizer, date, time, venue and distribution conditions. Event details can change after publication; readers should confirm before traveling.