Back-to-school needs: Here’s where you can donate or pick up backpacks and more in Brevard

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The beginning of the new school year is fast approaching, with the first day back in class scheduled for Aug. 10.

But not every student has the supplies they need to get them started going into the 2023-2024 school year. That’s why numerous groups around the county are working with community members to collect back-to-school supplies to distribute to kids in need before the start of school.

Here are the items kids need, where you can donate and where you can get supplies if your child is in need.

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What do kids need?

Here’s what you’ll find on most back-to-school supply lists:

• Backpacks without wheels
• #2 pencils
• Colored pencils
• Mechanical pencils
• Erasers
• Red, blue or black pens
• Highlighters
• Wide and college ruled loose-leaf notebook paper
• Scissors
• Glue sticks and white school glue
• Pocket folders
• Composition books
• 24-count crayons
• Basic four-function calculators
• Washable markers
• Wide and college ruled spiral notebooks
• Three-ring binders
• Rulers
• Pencil boxes or pouches
• Ballpoint pens
• Pencil sharpeners
• Thesauruses
• Pocket dictionaries
• Student planners
• Notebook dividers
• Lysol wipes
• Tissues

Where to drop off supplies

• Thursday, July 20, Brevard Schools Foundation will hold a supply drive at the Avenues in Viera from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with live music by Tru Phonic and complimentary snacks.
• Friends of Children of Brevard is collecting backpacks and school supplies to distribute to foster kids through all of July. Supplies can be dropped off at Sports Clips in Viera off Colonnade Avenue, or at Sports Clips of Hammock Landing in West Melbourne. Cash donations are also welcome, and checks should be payable to Brevard Schools Foundation.
• Launch Credit Union is accepting school supplies through July, which will be donated to Brevard Schools Foundation. Items can be dropped off at all branch locations in Brevard.
• The Space Coast Women’s Club is holding a back-to-school drive through July on behalf of three local nonprofits: Friends of Children of Brevard, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and the Sharing Center of Central Brevard. In addition to typical school supplies, they’re also asking for new sneakers in girls’ sizes 1-6 and boys’ sizes 1-6. Club members are collecting items throughout the community. Email gfwcspacecoast@gmail.com to find a drop off location near you.
• Brevard Family Partnership is collecting backpacks and back-to-school supplies through July 26. Items can be dropped off at their administrative office in Melbourne Monday through Friday, or items can be purchased through their Amazon Wishlist.
• Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Palm Bay is collecting supplies for Turner Elementary School students through July 24. They are asking for school supplies but no backpacks. Items can be dropped off at the church at 300 Malabar Road.
• Through July 29, Lather and Steel Barber Shop and Beard Parlour in West Melbourne is collecting school supplies for American Legion, which will distribute the supplies to children of local veterans. Call 772-359-8057 prior to dropping off supplies.
• Acceptance Insurance of Merritt Island is collecting donations for the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida through July. Back-to-school donations can be dropped off at their location at 235 Crockett Blvd.
• Cocoa is collecting supplies to give to local students at various locations throughout the city. Supplies can be dropped off at Cocoa City Hall, Cocoa Police Department and any Cocoa fire stations. They will also have a collection event on July 29, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Walmart located at 2700 Clearlake Road.

Where to get supplies

• Saturday, July 22, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 2547 Grant St., Melbourne. Sponsored by Play Melbourne Parks & Recreation. Children in elementary school through high school will receive free backpacks and school supplies; first come, first served. Child must be present to receive backpack; one per child. Information: 321-608-7460.
• Saturday, July 29, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Eddie Lee Taylor, Sr. Community Complex in Melbourne. The all-day event will include a cancer awareness walk, health fair, educational workshops and a kids’ zone, with back-to-school supplies being given away.
• Saturday, July 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Clearlake Education Center, the Supply Zone is giving away backpacks, school supplies, dental kits, eye screenings, diabetes tests, hygiene products and more to the first 2,000 students from under-resourced communities. No registration is required.
• Saturday, July 21, 10 a.m. until supplies run out, Dot’s Angels will host a backpack and school supply giveaway at the Twisted Birch in Rockledge. Students must be present to receive a backpack.
• Saturday, July 29, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Young Black Entrepreneur will hold a back-to-school event at RFM Christian Academy in Cocoa. There, kids can pick up school supplies and enjoy bounce houses, live music, food trucks, giveaways, face painting and more.
• Saturday, July 29, 2 pm. to 5 p.m., kids can attend a slip ‘n’ slide back-to-school bash at Isaac Campbell Park in Titusville, hosted by Mayor Gary Gray and Unity within a Community. There will be 2,000 backpacks with supplies available, five “golden tickets” inside five backpacks, free food, live music, water bounce houses, water slides, vendors, giveaways and more.
• Friday, Aug. 4, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., haircuts and school supplies will be available at the Natural Shades of Beauty Salon in Palm Bay. The Salon, in partnership with Right on Junk Removal, will have refreshments and a bounce house available for kids.
• Friday, Aug. 4, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the city of Cocoa will distribute backpacks and back-to-school supplies at Provost Park, located at 400 South Varr Avenue.
• Saturday, Aug. 5, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Palm Bay is hosting a drive-up backpack and school supplies giveaway at the church.
• Saturday, Aug. 5, 10 a.m. until supplies run out, Family of Faith Christian Church in Melbourne will host a back-to-school supply giveaway. They will also be giving away free haircut certificates.
• Saturday, Aug. 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sand Point Park’s main pavilion, Titusville. “Back to School BBQ and Backpack Giveaway” event includes free backpacks, haircuts, food and entertainment. Children must be present to receive backpacks.
• Saturday, Aug. 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Merritt Square Mall is hosting a back-to-school bash. There will be a reptile petting zoo, arts and crafts, a balloon twister, an obstacle course, meet and greets, face painting, video games, stage demos, giveaways and more. It’s free to attend, though guests are asked to RSVP prior to the event.

Other ways to donate

• Donate at your local Publix when you go to check out through July 23 on behalf of the Supply Zone to help students get school supplies.
• Visit Andretti Thrill Park in Melbourne with a coupon posted to their Facebook page that’s good through Sept. 9. Admission is $25.23 per person instead of $40, and coupon also saves you $5 on an arcade game card. Andretti will donate $2 from every wristband purchased to Brevard Schools Foundation.

Finch Walker is the education reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Walker at 321-290-4744 or fwalker@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @_finchwalker.

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