The 2024-2025 school year is starting soon and we have compiled a list of events for families to celebrate and receive free school supplies. For community members who would like to help out, check out a couple of drives for local children and families. If you know of more events, please post them in the comments section below.

• Community Block Party at 55th and Pine

5500 Pine St.

Friday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m-3 p.m.

The community block party at 55th and Pine, hosted by the 18th Police District, will feature vendors, food and sweet treats, a bounce house, games, free school supplies, and more!

• West Philly Unity in the Community Block Party

Market Street between 60th and 61st Streets

Friday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m-4 p.m.

Horizon House, a nonprofit serving those with mental and/or developmental disabilities across the Philadelphia region for over 70 years, is teaming up with fellow nonprofits and businesses headquartered in West Philadelphia for the West Philly Unity in the Community Block Party. This daylong event will provide numerous resources for families and individuals who call the local West Philly area home. There will be food, music and a backpack and art supply giveaway for all children in the area.

• Back-to-School Event at Chase Bank, West Philadelphia Community Branch

15 S. 52nd St.

Saturday, Aug. 24, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Get a backpack filled with school supplies (while supplies last) and help build your student’s money confidence to start the new school year.

• Community Day and Back-to-School Resource Fair at 39th & Olive Playground

700 N. 39th St.

Saturday, Aug. 24, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

State Rep. Amen Brown will host his annual Community Day and Back-to-School Resource Fair in collaboration with Mantua Cares and the 16th Police District.

• Back-to-School Community Day Event at Lucien Blackwell Community Center

761 N. 47th St.

Saturday, Aug. 24, 12-5 p.m.

The Back-to-School Community Day Event, hosted by Philadelphia Parks & Rec and Mill Creek Advisory Council, will feature youth basketball games, free food, a live DJ, a moon bounce, horseback rides, games, contests and more! This is also an opportunity to get a free book bag.

• Families Forward Philly Labor Day Luggage and Back-to-School Drives

Monday, Aug. 26 through Monday, Sept. 9

More often than not, when families arrive at the Families Forward Philadelphia emergency shelter, parents and children are carrying all of their possessions in trash bags. The same is true when they pack up and leave the shelter for more permanent housing. Families Forward Philadelphia will be collecting new and used pieces of luggage and duffel bags in order to provide a dignified and joyful experience for the families moving out of shelter. For more details, visit: https://www.familiesforwardphilly.org/labor-day-luggage-drive. You can also help the children in the FFP Family Residence get to school, stay in school, and thrive at school by making a donation here.

• Back-to-School Celebration at Penn Museum

3260 South St.

Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

To mark its 10th anniversary, Philadelphia’s K-12 teachers, administrators, students, and families can experience their very own “express field trip” to the Penn Museum through Unpacking the Past Turns 10! The event will feature:

• Hands-on activities based on an actual field trip to the Penn Museum, like paint-making from natural materials and a fiber-arts play space;
• Complimentary Unpacking the Past tote bags for the first 500 registered attendees;
• Free soft pretzels in a “snack zone”;
• Teacher-parent/caregiver resource area;
• Opportunities to plan field trips with the help of Penn Museum staff members and;
• Family-friendly tours every 30 minutes led by Museum educators.

For more details, visit: https://www.penn.museum/calendar/354/unpacking-the-past-turns-10-anniversary-celebration