Need school supplies? Check out these Charlotte-area charities and give-away events

As prices on all kinds of products and economic insecurities rise, Charlotte-area parents can find ways to save on back to school supplies.

And, the community can help pitch in, too, by donating needed tools for schools to local nonprofits.

There are several local charities accepting supplies to be distributed to neighborhood schools, and lots of supply giveaways planned at back-to-school bash events this month.

Nonprofits accepting school supplies

▪ Charlotte Fire Department in partnership with Classroom Central, Communities In Schools-Charlotte and WSOC-TV, is accepting school supplies for grades K-12.

All book bags donated at Charlotte Fire will be accepted in memory of Michael Johnson.

Donations can be made through Aug. 31 at all fire departments.

▪ Classroom Central dstributes free school supplies to thousands of teachers each year in about 200 schools in six school districts: Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Iredell-Statesville, Union, Gaston, city of Kannapolis and Lancaster in SC.

The nine most needed supplies: pencils, highlighters, crayons, markers, dry erase markers, composition books, filler paper, notebooks and pocket folders.

Donations can be dropped off 8 a.m. to noon Monday-Thursday at 2116 Wilkinson Blvd.

▪ Pineville Neighbors Place, accepts donations school supplies and new backpacks for Sterling Elementary students.

Giveaway event is 1-3 p.m. Aug. 24 at 561 North Polk St. and 8:45-11 a.m. Aug. 25 at the school.

Contact: 704-972-8722; info@pinevilleneighbors.org.

▪ United Way of Lincoln County and Communities in Schools of Lincoln County, along with Lincoln County Schools, host Stuff the Bus through Aug. 19. School supply and non-perishable food collected at several sites.

Contact: 704-240-8621.

▪ University Soup Kitchen is collecting supplies all month at 5736 N. Tryon St., suite 106. There’s a dropbox by the door.

Supplies are distributed all year directly to families in need at community giveaways and the nonprofits Mobile Help Center deliveries.

Families who need supplies can call or text 980-263-9348. Answer onboarding questions and have supplies delivered.

Where to get free back to school supplies

▪ CMS Title I Male Empowerment Launch and Back to School Bash is 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at Marie G. Davis IB School, 3351 Griffith St.

▪ The C.W. Williams Community Health Center will host its eighth annual Back to School Community Health Fair during National Health Center Week from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 13 at The Stratford Richardson YMCA, 1946 West Blvd. The event will feature a drive-thru format with free bookbags and school supplies. Contact: 704-393-7720.

▪ Waxhaw United Methodist Church Back to School Bash is 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 13 at 200 McDonald St., Waxhaw. School supplies accepted. Contact: 704-843-3931.

▪ Empowered Living Ministries backpack giveaway is from noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 14 at 5735 Dixie River Road. Registration recommended due to limited supply.

▪ Camino Health Center’s annual Back 2 School Children’s Fair is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at 201 Stetson Drive. Free backpacks and health physicals. Contact: 704-596-5606.

▪ Monroe Housing Authority Back to School Jam is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 17 at J. Ray Shute Center, 506 E. Green St. Free school supply giveaway. Contact: 704-289-2514; mstanback@monroehousing-nc.com.

▪ Urban League of Central Carolinas First Day Ready event is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 20 at The Mount at Charlotte, 1520 Alleghany St. Includes backpack and school supply giveaways. Contact: 704-373-2256.

▪ Matthews Gives Back: Community Cook-out and School Supply Giveaway is 6-8 p.m. Aug. 26 at Matthews Sportsplex, 1505 Tank Town Road. Hosted by Matthews Police Department. To register for free school supplies, visit MatthewsHelpCenter.org.

▪ True Way Church of God In Christ Back to School Community event, 1-3 p.m. Aug. 28, providing free supplies to students and teachers. Contact: 2931 James Road; 704-591-1042.

Some retailers pitching in

▪ As part of Simon mall property owner’s back-to-school events, SouthPark employees will deliver “Teacher Emergency Kits” with wipes, hand sanitizer and Advil to teachers at Sharon Elementary.

▪ Hydrate Medical is accepting school supplies through Aug. 31 for Classroom Central. Drop donation at any of Hydrate Medical’s three locations: 228 East Blvd. and 3429 Toringdon Way in Charlotte, and 9526 Birkdale Crossing in Huntersville.

▪ Camp North End will have school supply drives and giveaways this month Saturday through Aug. 20.

A School Supplies Drive is 1-4 p.m. Saturday at BLKMRKTCLT, 1824 Statesville Ave. and hosted by pop-up art company The Broken Crayon. There will be donation bins and volunteers onsite collecting supplies. Supplies will be given to local families, students in need and Title 1 schoolteachers.

A school supplies giveaway event is 1-3 p.m. Saturday at The Nest, Ford Building, 1774 Statesville Ave., hosted by North End Community Coalition for families of students K-12.

Along with retailer discounts, school supply drop off sites are at Free Range Bar, Lokal by Hygge, Dupp & Swat, Annie Fair Design, Babe & Butcher, Black Moth Bars, Bleu Barn, eXplicit Salon, Grow: A Plant Shop, Good Postage, Popbar and Wentworth & Fenn.

▪ Target has increased its discount for Target Circle to 20% off a one-time purchase for college students through Sept. 3. Educators also get 15% off school supplies and other products with valid ID through Sept. 10.

Not on the list? Email information to cmuccigrosso@charlotteobserver.com.