Pencils, backpacks, calculators, markers, crayons, binders, folders, and more! Back-to-school supplies quickly add up, especially with multiple children.
If buying school supplies is out of your budget this year, several organizations offer free backpacks, school supplies, and clothing for students in the Albuquerque area.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance with school supplies or clothing, below are a few events and places to go for help.
Free School Supplies Events Around Albuquerque
Back to School with PB&J Family Services
This event features free backpacks, plus vendors and family fun. Children must be present to receive a backpack while supplies last. Pre-registration is required.
DATE: July 17, 2026
LOCATION: La Mesa Elementary School, 7500 Copper Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
TIME: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
NMPED Black Education Act Bureau Backpack Giveaway
Get a free backpack *and* free health screening at Taylor Park. The event is first come, first served and while supplies last. Students must be present.
DATE: July 18, 2026
LOCATION: Taylor Park, 7701 Indian School Road NE
TIME: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Back to School Bash at Rio Rancho Events Center
This free community event features free backpacks and school supplies, as well as haircuts for students.
DATE: July 19, 2026
LOCATION: Rio Rancho Events Center, 3001 Civic Center Circle NE, Rio Rancho
TIME: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Atrisco Heritage Academy High School’s Annual Community Resource Fair
Attendees can explore booths featuring local organizations, learn about available services, and pick up school supplies while they last.
DATE: July 25, 2026
LOCATION: Atrisco Heritage Academy High School, 10800 Dennis Chavez Blvd SW
TIME: 9 a.m. – noon
Community Health & Social Services Fair
Learn about health and social services resources for your family at this fair, and 100 free backpacks will also be available (two per family with proof of address and child’s birth certificate). There will also be a rock climbing wall and mobile clothing bank.
DATE: July 31, 2026
LOCATION: Dede Feldman Los Griegos Health & Social Services Center, 1231 Candelaria Rd NW
TIME: 9 a.m. – noon
Back-to-School Brigade
Operation Homefront provides back-to-school supplies for military families. Supplies are on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that this event is for DEERS-enrolled military dependent children only who will be in Kindergarten through 12th grade for the 2026-2027 school year.
DATE: August 1, 2026
TIME: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Cruzin’ Into the School Year
Free back-to-school supplies, resources, food trucks, and more! And it’s at two locations this year: on the West Mesa and in Southeast Albuquerque. Pre-registration is required, and children must be present at the event.
DATE: August 1, 2026
LOCATION: West Mesa (5500 Glenrio Rd NW) & Cesar Chavez Community Center (7505 Kathryn Ave SE)
TIME: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
South Valley Back to School Bash
Elementary and middle school students in the Rio Grande High School feeder pattern are invited to a Back to School Bash with resources, school supplies, food trucks, vendors, lowriders exhibition, and live music.
DATE: August 1, 2026
LOCATION: Rio Grande High School, 2300 Arenal Rd SW
TIME: 10 a.m. – noon
Los Lunas Police Department’s National Night Out
Join the Los Lunas Police Department for a night of fun, food, and community. There will be free school supplies (while supplies last), as well as free hot dogs and hamburgers.
DATE: August 4, 2026
LOCATION: Los Lunas Sports Complex, 1600 NM-314, Los Lunas
TIME: 5-7 p.m.
East Mountain Food Pantry Back2School Bash
Pick up food and supply packs at this free event in Edgewood. There will be vendors, food trucks, and entertainment too.
DATE: August 8, 2026
LOCATION: Venus Park, 181 NM-344, Edgewood
TIME: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Year-Round School Supply & Clothing Help
Several organizations offer year-round support to Albuquerque students, from providing free school supplies to backpacks to clothing.
APS Community Clothing Bank and School Supply Bar
All students at APS schools (including charter and alternative schools) are eligible to receive services from the APS Community Clothing Bank. If your student needs basic items, please reach out to the school’s counselor, family liaison, community school coordinator, social worker, or any school staff.
Salvation Army
This organization doesn’t host an event. But families can sign up in early August to be on the school supply distribution list. Sometimes they can do on-the-spot distribution, or they may have a set distribution date. It varies year to year, but it will take place before the start of school. If school has already started, please feel free to contact them to see if any supplies are left over.
Locker #505
Locker #505 is New Mexico’s largest student clothing bank and provides students with free clothing and shoes. Any Albuquerque student in need can get a referral to Locker #505 through their school social worker or counselor.
Do you know of other events we can add to this list? Let us know via email: [email protected].
