These 10 back-to-school events in the Columbus area can help you prepare

What could be better than a back-to-school sale? A back-to-school giveaway fits the bill. events are about to be right around the corner.

Here are some back-to-school events coming up in or near the Columbus area this summer.

Frank D. Chester Recreation Center Event

This back-to-school event will feature vendors, giveaways, haircuts, simple braiding styles, games, food and more. This free supplies drive will help students start the school year off with all the essentials they need.

• Location: 1441 Benning Drive, 31903 | Columbus, GA
• Date/Time: Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025 | 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
• Contact: (706) 225 - 3723

Beginning New Outreach School Supply Drive & Resource Fair

If you’re looking for supplies for the classroom, you can come pick up notebooks, pencils, backpacks, etc., at this supply drive open to both Georgia and Alabama residents.

• Location: 322 25th Ave, 31903 | Columbus, GA
• Date/Time: Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025 | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Contact: (706) 243 - 1126

Chattahoochee Valley Community College Annual Back-To-School Giveaway

The eighth annual back-to-school giveaway is hosted by Generational Changers, Tere’s Tots Childcare, Phenix City Russell County NAACP, and several other organizations. At this event, supplies for 500 school students (children must be present) and 50 teachers will be available.

• Location: 2602 College Dr., 36869 | Phenix City, AL
• Date/Time: July 26, 2025 | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Contact: (706) 577 - 0892

Karisma Inc. Back to School Bash 2025

Free school supplies and free food are headed to Lakebottom Park, thanks to Karisma Inc., a community involvement and resource provision organization. You can come pick up a book bag of supplies, including pencils, glue, folders and binders.

• Location: 1505 Cherokee Ave., 31901 | Columbus, GA
• Date/Time: Aug 9, 2025 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Contact: (706) 662 - 0827

YMCA Back to School Bash

The YMCA of Metropolitan Columbus will bring a mix of fun and creative festivities to welcome the new school year. Free school supplies, bounce houses, arts and crafts, music and snacks are all coming soon to the A.J. McClung WMCA.

• Location: 1175 Martin Luther King Junior Blvd., 31906 | Columbus, GA
• Date/Time: Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025 | 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
• Contact: (706) 322 - 2579

Columbus Dream Center Back to School Drive

Come to donate or pick up school supplies at the Columbus Dream Center. Items like index cards, pencils, binders, USB flash drives, college notebook paper, etc., can be donated from now until Friday, July 18, with the official giveaway taking place on Saturday, July 19.

• Location: 4114 Oates Ave., 31904 | Columbus, GA
• Date/Time: Saturday, July 19, 2025 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Contact: (706) 604 - 0332

Mind of Christ Ministries Back To School Bash

Pastor James C. Tucker will host the sixth annual school supplies giveaway on the Campus of Mind of Christ Ministries International Church. Children must be present to receive book bags full of school supplies, haircuts, free food and drinks, horse riding and more.

• Location: 3007 Clover Lane, 31903 | Columbus, GA
• Date/Time: Aug 2, 2025 | 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
• Contact: (706) 405 - 4429

Kids Street Urgent Care

450 bags of school supplies will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Kids Street Urgent Care event. Four lucky attendees will also be selected to win gift cards for school clothes.

• Location: 3201 Macon Road, 31906 | Columbus, GA
• Date/Time: Saturday, July 19, 2025 | 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
• Contact: (706) 225 - 8773

Movin’ & Groovin’ Back To School at LaGrange Mall

Great shopping deals meet live entertainment at this LaGrange Mall back-to-school event. There are activities available for all ages and discounts on all the school supplies needed for the year.

• Location: 1501 Lafayette Parkway, 30241 | LaGrange, GA
  
  
• Date/Time: Saturday, July 19, 2025 | 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
• Contact: (706) 863 - 2222

The Big House Foundation Back to School Bash and Supply Drive

The Big House Foundation helps provide school supplies to 400 children while providing the opportunity to fulfill the exact back-to-school list of foster and adopted families. The current needed items include Expo markers, copy paper, sturdy backpacks, Ziplock bags and Elmer’s glue sticks.

• Location: 1400 Grand National Parkway, 36801 | Opelika, Alabama
• Date/Time: July 26, 2025 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Contact: (334) 363 - 2634

This story was originally published July 8, 2025 at 2:27 PM.