Where Cumberland County parents can find school supply help this month

Rachael Riley, Fayetteville Observer
·6 min read

As Cumberland County students prepare to return to the classroom Aug. 28, parents can expect to spend more money on back-to-school shopping this year than in any previous year.

Parents will drop an average of $890 for school supplies this year, if electronic items like calculators, laptops and tablets are needed, according to the National Retail Federation, an increase of $25 over last year and a new record.

Cumberland County Schools supply lists can be found online at www.ccs.k12.nc.us. Walmart and Target each provide a dashboard to shop for school-specific supply lists.

As a way to help offset costs, some local businesses, organizations and nonprofits are providing free school supplies to those who need them.

Here is a list of 15 of those giveaways happening in the Fayetteville area in the coming weeks.

In 2019, nearly 400 backpacks filled with school supplies were collected by Better Vision and donated to the Cumberland County school district. This year several organizations are having on-site back-to-school bash events to give away backpacks stuffed with supplies.
In 2019, nearly 400 backpacks filled with school supplies were collected by Better Vision and donated to the Cumberland County school district. This year several organizations are having on-site back-to-school bash events to give away backpacks stuffed with supplies.

Related: Where to find back-to-school deals: Discounted shopping at Target, Walmart, Staples and more

Woodpeckers Back-to-School Bash

The Fayetteville Woodpeckers are hosting a Back-To-School Bash from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Segra Stadium, 460 Hay St.

More than 40 organizations are participating in the event, and free school supplies, books, clothing, shoes and activities will be available.

Back-to-School Bowling

Dragon Lanes on Fort Liberty hosts a Back-to-School bowling event from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 4-2374 Bastogne Drive.

The cost to bowl is $5 and includes a hot dog, soda, one game, shoe rental and a backpack with school supplies for children ages 5-16.

Reclamation Church Back-to-School Bash

Reclamation Church hosts a Back-to-School Bash from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at 62 Joint Road in Spring Lake.

Each student will receive a free backpack with school supplies and parents can register online at reclamationchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1837854 for one free pair of shoes per child.

Cumberland County District PTA Council Back-to-School Giveaway

The Cumberland County District PTA Council hosts a Back-to-School Giveaway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 19 at Reid Ross Classical Middle and High School, 3200 Ramsey St., in Fayetteville.

Free food boxes in partnership with Action Pathways and Second Harvest Food Bank will be given away while supplies last.

The first 200 people will receive a free food plate and backpacks with school essentials while supplies last. A live DJ, raffles, giveaways and kids' activities are also scheduled.

Service member, veteran and family Back-to-School Bash

The Fayetteville LINK, Fayetteville Vet Center,  Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone, Veterans Bridge Home, DOD Suicide Prevention Team and the Fayetteville VA Suicide Prevention Team hosts a Back-to-School Bash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 19, at Hope Mills Municipal Park, 5770 Rockfish Road.

Registration is at 10 a.m.

School supplies, food, games and giveaways are available for military-affiliated families.

To register, visit eventbrite.com and search "Back to School Bash."

Fascinate-U Back-to-School Bash

Fascinate-U Children's Museum hosts a Back-to-School Bash from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 19, at 116 Green St. in Fayetteville.

With museum admission, attendees can enjoy crafts, activities, science demonstrations, storytelling and free backpacks stuffed with books and school supplies at no extra cost.

R.O.O.T.S. Mentoring Back to School Event

R.O.O.T.S. Mentoring, Sharpe Line Barbershop and Black Ops Paintball hosts a Back-to-School Event from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 19 at 6411 Camden Road, Suite 107 in Fayetteville. School supplies will be given away and there will be music, games and $10 haircuts.  R.O.O.T.S. is a nonprofit that serves “at-promise” elementary to high school-aged students in Fayetteville, Spring Lake, Raeford and Laurinburg through mentoring

Donations for the event are being accepted at Sharpe Line Barbershop.

Kraken-Skulls Back-to-School Bash

Kraken-Skulls hosts a Back-to-School Bash 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Sycamore Square Shopping Center, 3308 Bragg Blvd.

Backpacks and school supplies will be given away.

A hypnosis comedy show to raise money for the giveaway is 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 18 at Kraken-Skulls, 822 Shannon Drive. All proceeds from the $50 tickets go toward the Back to School Bash.

Back-to-School Giveaway and Car Show

A Back-to-School Giveaway and Car Show starts at 1 p.m. Aug. 19, at 2801 Ramsey St. in Fayetteville.

Food and cars will be at the event, along with free school supplies.

I Love My Community Cookout and Giveaway

L3 Brand Community Alliance and Community Partners hold a cookout and giveaway from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 19 at Murchison Marketplace Plaza, 3421 Murchison Road, Fayetteville.

In addition to backpacks, school supplies, food and hygiene product giveaways, the event features guest speakers, job opportunities and resources, live music, games and performances.

The main giveaway will start at 3 p.m.

Visit eventbrite.com and search "I Love My Community Cookout" to register to attend.

Those interested in performing, sponsoring, volunteering or providing items can call or text 678-665-3526.

Red Coat Design Studio Back-to-School Drive

Red Coat Design Studio hosts a Back-to-School Drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 25, at 7707 S. Raeford Road, Suite 109.

There will be free backpacks, school supplies, apparel, food and drinks, face painting and free haircuts provided by the Cut My City, a nonprofit that offers free haircuts for low-income children, homeless individuals and the elderly. 

Bookbag giveaway

The U & I Development Program nonprofit hosts its annual book bag giveaway with backpacks and school supplies from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 26, at 500 Fisher St.

Donations can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 402 E. Russell St.

B2S Jamboree

WCCG 104.5 hosts a Back to School Jamboree from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 26 at the John D. Fuller St. Athletic Recreational Complex in Fayetteville, 6627 Old Bunce Road.

Free food, games and backpacks stuffed with school supplies will be given away, with the backpack giveaway starting at 10 a.m.

Educational resources will also be provided by Cumberland County School’s Prime Time and the Giving Back Warm Hugs nonprofit.

Hope Church Back-to-School Bash

Hope Church hosts a Back-to-School Bash from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 2 at Honeycutt Park, 352 Devers St. in Fayetteville.

The public event offers free food, games and school supplies.

Where to donate

The Spring Lake Police Department is hosting a Pack the Cruiser Back to School Supply Drive through Aug. 22. Donations can be made 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the department headquarters at 300 Ruth St. in Spring Lake.

Donations benefit Manchester, W.T. Brown and Spring Lake Middle School.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Looking for school supply giveaways? Here are 15 in Cumberland County