2025 Back-to-School Donation Drives & Distributions
Updated 7.10.25
by Lisa Keosouphanh
Jun 19, 2025
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Set students up for success—donate school supplies today! A backpack, a notebook, a few pencils—small things that spark big confidence. Help Kern County students head into the school year prepared and proud by contributing to one of these local supply drives. Your support empowers young learners to thrive from day one.

*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/
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OFFICE LOCATION: 1400 Easton Drive #112, Bakersfield, CA 93309
PHONE: 661-861-4939 For Advertising and Subscription Inquiries
FAX: 661-861-4930
E-MAIL: kcfm@kerncountyfamily.com