Before each school year, parents face a long list of supplies their children need to prepare.
Buying these items can quickly take a bite from the family’s budget, but some local organizations offer supplies for free to ease the burden.
This August, a place where schools offer free gifts can be found in the Binghamton area.
Care for the annual schoolbag gift
Cares partnered with Binghamton School District to host annual backpacking giveaways ahead of the school year, offering backpacking and school supplies from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the three days from August 21 to 23
Gift location on August 21:
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Saratoga Community Center: 60 Saratoga Ave., Binghamton.
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Carlisle Community Center: Moeller St., Binghamton 150.
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Walnut Street Park: 121 Walnut Street, Binghamton.
Gift location on August 22:
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Cheri Lindsey Park: Truesdell St. 1, Binghamton.
Gift location on August 23:
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Entertainment Park: Beethoven Street and Seminary Avenue in Binghamton.
More: When is the first day in the south? Find your school
Bloom County Book Bags and Helmet Gifts
The Bloom County District Attorney’s Office has worked with local law enforcement and community partners to host the giveaway. The event is open to the public and is conducted on a first come first served basis.
On August 23, Bookbag Gift Location:
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Come to the bridge at 143 Baldwin Street, Johnson City and receive free schoolbags, hairstyles and food at 1 p.m.
East side neighborhood party
Fairview United Methodist Church will host an Eastside neighborhood party for the fifth consecutive year.
when: August 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 254 Robinson St., Binghamton.
Two Rivers Church will provide back-to-school giveaways for school-age children and teenagers before the school year. Sign up to ensure a location for free hair styles, food, gift cards and other school essentials.
when: August 31 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.
Where: 1 Chrisfield Ave in Johnson City.
Members of the newly-opened Apostolic Church will distribute backpacks and school supplies to children in grades K-6 for free.
when: August 23 from 12 pm to 2 pm.
Where: 1288 VESTAL AVE., Binghamton.
The Binghamton’s monotheistic universalist congregation will host a free community event. Back-to-school supplies, hairstyles and kid-friendly games will be available. Is the event rainy or shining?
when: From noon to 6 p.m. on August 23.
Where: Binghamton 183 Riverside Drive.
Take Risk LLC works with ICAN to host school supplies giveaways, live music, food, kid-friendly events and free hairstyles.
when: September 2 from 3pm to 6pm
Where: 95 Jackson Street, Binghamton.
Free parental resources
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The World Wildlife Foundation offers many downloadable educational toolkits, virtual field trips, and live streaming with experts.
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National Geographic Explorer Classroom has multiple virtual courses, aged 8-14, and is available in an interactive webinar of 45 minutes. The program will be held from September 25 to November 13 and includes five live virtual events and five mission events. Previous Explorer class recordings are available on YouTube.
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Turtlediary is an educational gaming website for grades K-5 with free access to games, videos, quizzes, worksheets and other useful teaching tools.
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Learning Corner helps parents identify and analyze activities to help submit personalized homeschool plans to local school districts.
Kalyn Grant reported on news and public service issues with Sun Bharattin, focusing on school and community impact. Is there a story to share? Follow her on Instagram@kalyncarmen Under FacebookKalyn Kearney. touchkcgrant@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press and Sun Bliptin: Where to find free homecoming supplies in Binghamton, NY
