Ah, back to school. For many, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! Backpacks are purchased; summer reading books are (almost?) complete; the aisles of every store in town are bursting with pencils, erasers, and stickers; and everyone is ready to return to a solid routine.
As a kid, I always loved back-to-school shopping with my parents. I rummaged through each aisle for that perfect Lisa Frank spiral notebook, scratch ‘n’ sniff erasers, and everyone’s favorite: colored gel pens. Now, as an adult, I’m eager to experience that same school (nerd!) excitement all over again with my son. And although my excitement for this time of year exceeds most, I also recognize this giddiness is not the norm. In fact, many parents and teachers feel stress, not joy, as they determine how they will afford the school supplies required of their or their children’s classrooms.
If you’re interested in alleviating a bit of stress in another parent or teacher’s life, to help give kids that same giddy feeling some of us are fortunate to experience year after year, check out our round-up of school supply drives in San Antonio below. Lend a helping hand, if you can, and spread that back-to-school cheer!
Note: This list may not include every event in the city, but we researched and polled our social communities to build a list of school supply drives in San Antonio as best as possible. If you have one to share, please add it in the comments section for all to see.
United Way of San Antonio & Bexar County: Write Start Project
- Accepting school supplies and monetary donations now through August 2.
- Donate supplies at United Way’s local office or any Cavender Auto Dealership.
- For a list of needs and drop-off locations, visit https://www.unitedwaysatx.org/writestart/.
H-E-B, KENS 5, & Communities in Schools: Stuff the Bus
- H-E-B, KENS 5, and Communities in Schools are working together to collect school supplies and monetary funds to support children across the city.
- Accepting supplies and monetary donations through August 3.
- Most wanted items: binders (two- and three-inch), glue sticks, composition books, folders (with brads and pockets), pens and pencils, dividers (five and eight subjects), scissors, markers, backpacks (clear or mesh preferred), map pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, and index cards.
- To help:
- Donate online at cissa.org/donate.
- Text to donate: Text “STB19” to 44321.
- Call the KENS 5 Phone Bank on July 23 from 4:00–7:00 P.M.
- Drop off supplies at participating corporate supporter locations.
- Donate school supplies or make a monetary donation at H-E-B from July 22–August 3.
- Participate in “Stuff the Bus Day” events at H-E-B locations on August 3.
Frost Bank & Communities in Schools: Stuff the Bus
- Frost Bank has donation bins in their lobbies to support Communities in Schools.
- Most wanted items: binders (two- and three-inch), glue sticks, composition books, folders (with brads and pockets), pens and pencils, dividers (five and eight subjects), scissors, markers, backpacks (clear or mesh preferred), map pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, and index cards.
- To find a Frost Bank near you, visit https://bit.ly/2Sm7MVV.
Starbucks (All San Antonio Locations): Stuff the Bus Special
- Accepting school supplies now through August 3.
- Most wanted items: binders (two- and three-inch), glue sticks, composition books, folders (with brads and pockets), pens and pencils, dividers (five and eight subjects), scissors, markers, backpacks (clear or mesh preferred), map pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, and index cards.
- Bring in three new packages of school supplies and receive a free tall coffee or tea.
Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM): Back to School 2019
- CAM is seeking “adopters” to purchase an appropriate backpack and school supplies from each child’s school list. Also, they need volunteers to prepare and distribute supplies.
- Sign up to adopt a student online here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c054caeab28a7fb6-back4.
- Or, email Emily Kirtner with questions: [email protected].
SAMMinistries: SAMM Summer Challenge
- Accepting donations at SAMMExpress Donation Station (910 Oblate Dr.) through July 29.
- Seeking all school supplies such as construction paper, 200-count Kleenex boxes, 10-pack divider tabs, crayons, three- to four-inch binders, composition books, pockets folders with brads, colored pencils, glue sticks, and backpacks.
SAMMinistries: Back-to-School Clothing Drive
- Shop back-to-school clothes for homeless children in San Antonio.
- Order from SAMMinistries pre-set list on Amazon, here: http://a.co/aktvBOu.
Family Services & Ancira Auto: Back-to-School Backpack Drive
- Accepting backpack donations now through August 2.
- If donating a backpack, clear ones are preferred.
- Please drop off backpacks at any Ancira store in San Antonio or Boerne.
Child Advocates of San Antonio (CASA): Donation Drive
- Accepting school supplies and backpack donations through August 16.
- Learn more about in-kind donation ideas here: https://bit.ly/32CT9Cm.
San Antonio Aquarium & Back to School Expo: Backpack Drive
- Back to School Expo San Antonio is collecting backpacks for those in need. Donations accepted on-site at the San Antonio Aquarium through August 5.
- Clear backpacks preferred.
- Those who donate will receive one free admission ticket per backpack.
Rolling Oaks Mall: Stuff the Bus
- Backpack and school supply donations will benefit local kids in surrounding area schools; donations are being accepted through August 10.
- Donations can be dropped off on-site at 6909 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio, TX 78247.
- Learn more on their Facebook page here: https://bit.ly/2YcYvoq.
Broadway Bank and the Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce: 10th Annual Stuff the Bus School Supply Celebration
- Thursday, August 1 from 5:30–7:30 P.M. at Broadway Bank in the Cheever Building, 1177 NE Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78209.
- Donate a bag of new school supplies or donate a monetary gift for free admission to the event.
Total Body Training: School Supply Drive
- Collecting school supplies through July 31; earn three free group fitness classes with a donation of three or more new packages of school supplies.
- Donations accepted on-site at 9200 Broadway Street, Suite 130, San Antonio, TX 78217.
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games: School Supply Drive
- Collecting school supplies now through the end of July.
- Donate two new supplies, and get a one-hour Time Play Card for free! Valid one per customer, per visit.
- Donations accepted on-site at 5227 N. Loop 1604 W., San Antonio, TX 78249.
Gabriella’s Smile Foundation: Backpack & School Supply Drive
- Collecting school supplies for kids fighting cancer in San Antonio and McAllen.
- Accepting donations through August 5.
- Collecting backpacks, spiral notebooks, notebook paper, composition journals, pencil boxes, folders with pockets and brads, pencils, erasers, scissors, colored pencils, crayons, watercolor paint, washable markers, glue sticks, hand sanitizer, and tissues.
- Learn more by calling (210) 670-6200 or by visiting https://strongerthandipg.org/.
Mission for Hope: MAAR’s Mission for Hope
- Accepting monetary donations and school supplies for teachers to help fill their classrooms.
- Donate five school supply items and receive a free eight-inch, one-topping pizza at MAAR’s Pizza.
- For a list of items in need, visit http://www.missionforhopesa.com/how-to-help.html.
SAReads & Firstmark Credit Union: Children’s Book Drive
- Accepting new and gently used children’s books at Firstmark Credit Union locations across town through August 16.
- More information and branch locations here: https://bit.ly/2GdoeTu.
Community Bible Church: Pack the Bus
- Collecting clear backpacks and school supplies at the CBC lobby through July 31.
- Donations will benefit the children and students of HIS Bridge Builders and Por Vida Academy.
- For details and school supply lists, visit https://www.communitybible.com/event/pack-the-bus/.
RE/MAX Unlimited: School Supply Drive
- Collecting standard school supplies for students at nearby schools on the city’s South Side.
- Donations can be dropped off at 342 Hot Wells Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78223.
Northside Threads: Back-to-School Clothes
- Collecting back-to-school clothes, up to junior sizes, for students in need.
- Learn more about making a donation here: https://bit.ly/2xSKBco.
St Francis of Assisi’s Mobile Loaves and Fishes Ministry: School Supplies Collection
- Collecting standard school supplies through the end of August.
- Visit them online here: http://sfasat.org/MLF/.
Center for Refugee Services: School Supplies Collection
- Collecting school supplies, clothing, and diapers for refugee families and their children.
- For specific needs, email [email protected].
- To learn more about the organization and inquire about drop off locations, visit: http://www.sarefugees.org/Contact_US.php.
Check out more back-to-school posts:
School Calendars for Districts in the San Antonio Area, 2019–20 Edition
Mom Gets Schooled: Lessons I Learned When My Daughter Started Elementary School