Jun 19, 2025

*More events to be added as they are announced. Please check back periodically for newly added donation drives and distribution events happening around Kern County!
*Donation and distribution details, dates, and times are subject to change. Please contact the organizers directly with questions and for updates.
Back-to-School Donation Drives:
Senator Shannon Grove’s Back-to-School Backpack Drive
Collecting backpacks for Church Without Walls, Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK), and West Side Recreation & Park District
June 16 – July 31
Drop Off Locations:
Senator Grove's Bakersfield District Office
5701 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 150
Bakersfield, CA 93309
West Side Recreation & Park District
500 Cascade Place, Building D
Taft, CA 93268
Ridgecrest City Hall
10 W. California Avenue
Ridgecrest, CA 93355
For more information or questions, contact Senator Grove's Bakersfield District Office at (661) 323-0443.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County’s Stuff the Bus Donation Drive
Suggested school supplies include backpacks, composition notebooks, spiral notebooks, construction paper, copy paper, pencils, pens, colored pencils, markers, crayons, highlighters, post-it notes, glue sticks, tape rolls, student scissors, and other office supplies. Gift cards to office supply stores or retail vendors are also welcome and will be used to purchase needed supplies.
Now until August 1st
Drop Off Locations:
E. L. Jack and Monica Armstrong Youth Center
801 Niles St.
Bakersfield, CA
(661) 325-3730
Stockdale Club
5207 Young St., Suite 200
Bakersfield, CA 93311
(661) 663-8733
For more information, contact Natalie Martinez at nmartinez@bgckc.org or 661-325-3730 ext. 222.
https://www.bgckc.org/schoolsupplies
3G Activities & King Leo’s Back-to-School Drive
Collecting backpacks, shoes, and school supplies for local youth in need.
May 1 - August 1
Drop Off Locations:
Red Robin
2701 Ming Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93304
Dave & Buster’s Bakersfield
1914 Wible Rd.
Bakersfield, CA 93304
Downtown Nutrition
2611 F St.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
King Leo’s Pizza
6111 Niles St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306
Baby Wobble
1200 California Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93304
MB2 Entertainment
1251 Oak St.
Bakersfield, CA 93304
Notorious Ink Tattoo
10719 Rosedale Hwy.
Bakersfield, CA 93312
For more information or questions, contact Frankie Sutton at (661) 817-7523.
Back-to-School Distribution Events:
It’s that time again! Swing by one of these back-to-school distribution events to grab the essential supplies your kids need to start the year off strong. From pencils and notebooks to backpacks and more—it’s all FREE and ready for your scholars. Ensure your student is well-equipped for success. Don’t miss out!
Kern County Child Support Services (KCCSS) Back-to-School Open House (Delano)
Join the City of Delano’s Back-to-School Open House! There will be free backpacks, free haircuts (for the first 100 youth), community resources, supplies, arts & crafts, music, and services for youth in TK to High School. (Child must be present, while supplies last)
Sunday, July 27
9 AM - 11 AM
11th Avenue Community Center
260 W. 11th Avenue
Delano, CA 93215
For more information, visit https://kerncountychildsupportservices.com/resources-events/ or call (866) 901-3212.
CAPK Friendship House Backpack Giveaway
August 2, 2025
Send your students back to school in style! Join CAPK for the School Backpack Giveaway & More at the Friendship House Community Center! Free backpacks, haircuts and more!
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Friendship House Community Center
2424 Cottonwood Rd.
Bakersfield, CA
For more information and updates, contact CAPK Foundation directly at 661-336-5236 ×1156 or https://www.capkfoundation.org/fhcc-backpack-giveaway/
Kern County Child Support Services (KCCSS) Annual Ready-Set Back 2 School Health and Wellness Fair
Kern County Child Support Services is committed to creating a better life for children. The event connects families to community resources to prepare for back-to-school. Children receive a free backpack filled with school supplies and giveaways.
August 7, 2025
9 AM - 12 PM
Kern County Museum
3801 Chester Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
For more information, visit https://kerncountychildsupportservices.com/resources-events/ or call (866) 901-3212.
KCCSS Ready-Set Back 2 School Backpack Giveaways
Kids in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade can receive a free backpack, school supplies, and resources!
- The child must be present with an adult
- Limit of 1 backpack per child
- While supplies last
- This event is Drive-Thru only
Wilson Library: Friday, July 18
2 PM - 4 PM
1901 Wilson Rd.
Bakersfield, CA 93304
Kern County Library Book Mobile at Lost Hills Elementary: Tuesday, July 22
12:30 PM- 2:30 PM
20979 Lobos Court
Lost Hills, CA 93249
Taft Library: Wednesday, July 23
1 PM - 3 PM
27 Cougar Ct.
Taft, CA 93268
Mojave Library: Tuesday, July 29
11 AM - 1 PM
15555 O Street
Mojave, CA 93501
Ridgecrest: Thursday, July 31
9 AM - 11 AM
Leroy Jackson Park
300 E French Avenue
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Blessing Corner Church "Over the Top" Back-to-School Event
Friday, August 8th, 2025
Annual Back-2-School event is back!! Join Blessing Corner Church for a day of resources, fun, and giving to our local students! School-aged children must be present. While supplies last. Pull carts are highly recommended.
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Blessing Corner Church
101 Union Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93307
https://theblessingcorner.com/events/
(661) 861-0349
Spartans 2025 Back to School Resource Fair
Friday, August 8, 2025
The first-ever Spartans 2025 Back to School Resource Fair happens August 8 at South High, intended for those students/families who attend South High and our feeder partners, Greenfield School District (open to the entire community).
- School supplies
- Haircuts
- Food boxes
- Clothing closet
- Live entertainment and more!
First come, first served, and one backpack per student will be distributed, while supplies last. The student must be present.
Event organized by Valley Strong Credit Union, United Way of Central Eastern California, Kern High School District, Student, Family, and Community Engagement at South High.
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
South High School
1101 Planz Road
Bakersfield, CA
(661) 827-3100
For more information and questions, contact Monica at monica_bonilla@kernhigh.org or call KHSD at 661-827-3100.
3G Activities & King Leo’s Back-to-School Supply Giveaway
August 9, 2025
Supporting the youth in our community by providing them with essential school supplies, backpacks, and shoes.
10 AM - 2 PM
King Leo’s Pizza (Parking Lot)
6111 Niles Street, Bakersfield, CA 93306
For more information or questions, contact Frankie Sutton at (661) 817-7523.
2nd Annual Back-to-School Mental Health Check-In
August 16, 2025
Beyond The Stars No Limits presents its 2nd Annual Back to School Mental Health Check-In!
Come out for a FREE COMMUNITY EVENT filled with:
- Music By DJ Ace
- Food (Food boxes given to the first 50 families)
- Prizes
- Haircut Voucher giveaway
- Face painting
- Workshops
- Guest Speakers + more!
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
MLK Recreational Center
1000 S Owens St.
Bakersfield, CA 93307
661-401-7200
https://beyondthestarsnolimits.org/