With just a few weeks of summer vacation left for South Florida students, organizations are working to collect classroom supplies to distribute and planning back-to-school bashes. Students will start the school year on Aug. 10 in Palm Beach County and Aug. 21 in Broward County.
Shoppers can take advantage of the state’s back-to-school sales tax holiday to save on purchases of school supplies to benefit groups organizing giveaways. Through Aug. 6, there’s no sales tax on clothes, shoes, school supplies and personal computers.
While there’s still time to stay up late and sleep in, spend the day at the pool or beach, take a road trip or go to the movies, parents should take note of these upcoming back-to-school events.
Broward County
Supply drives
Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center 2023 Back to School Supply Drive
Where: CDTC’s headquarters, 1401 S. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday through Aug. 4
The goal is to collect and fill 600 backpacks to help children with special health care needs prepare for the school year. Supplies needed include backpacks, notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, folders and glue sticks for preschoolers through high school students. Visit to view the Amazon Wishlist or make an online donation.
Back-to-School Adopt-a-Student
Where: online
When: Through Aug. 31
HANDY provides youth with a backpack full of school supplies and clothing, and each of the organization’s post-secondary youth receive a care package filled with technology essentials. The nonprofit is in need of sponsors to help students. Visit to make a donation.
Back to School Drive
Where: Coral Springs City Hall Lobby, 9500 W. Sample Road
When: 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday through Aug. 5
Donations of new markers, crayons, pencils. pens (blue, red and black), composition books, scissors, erasers, highlighters, folders, index cards, sticky notes, loose leaf paper, glue sticks, three-ring binders, color pencils, rulers and flash drives will be accepted. Visit coralsprings.gov.
North Fork Elementary Community Resource Closet
Where: online
When: Through Aug. 6
The city of Fort Lauderdale Neighborhood Leadership Academy Class 12 is collaborating with the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale to raise funds and collect items to equip under-resourced children for the upcoming school year. They need boys and girls school uniforms, socks, undergarments, backpacks, school supplies, hygiene Items and shelf-stable food. Visit the Amazon Wishlist at .
Take a BITE Out of Summer
Where: The BITE Eatery, 2715 E. Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 9
Try samples from the food hall’s nine culinary concepts and get one free drink from The BITE Bar with live music during the event to benefit Children’s Harbor, the Broward Education Foundation and the Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center. Bring school supplies or make a cash donation to fund supply purchases. Admission is free, but registration is required at eventbrite.com.
Broward Education Foundation School Supply Drive
Where: BrightStar Credit Union’s branches in Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Hollywood, Lauderhill, Pembroke Pines, Margate and Pompano Beach; Broward Education Foundation School Supply Center, 2300 W. Copans Road, Bay #5, Pompano Beach; also online
When: Through Aug. 20
The annual drive is a community effort between the foundation, the public and local businesses to provide school supplies, including black composition books, folders, glue sticks, pens, pencils, crayons and pink erasers, among others, for students in need. Monetary donations can made in various amounts: $10 can supply 200 pencils, $35 can provide a student with a backpack filled with supplies, $100 can support a teacher with classroom tools and resources, and $250 can provide art supplies for an entire classroom. Visit .
The Salvation Army of Broward County Back to School Drive
Where: 1445 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
When: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday through Aug. 20
Donate new or gently used school supplies such as notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, backpacks, calculators, or any other essential items that would be beneficial to students across different grade levels. Monetary contributions also are accepted to purchase bulk school supplies. Supporters may also send a check payable to the Salvation Army (Back to School Drive) to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 230, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33302-0230. Visit or email .
SOS Children’s Villages Florida
Where: online
When: Through Aug. 20
The nonprofit that cares for abused and neglected children has four ways supporters can help supply students with essential items. Monetary donations can be made at or by sending a check payable to SOS Children’s Villages Florida, 3681 NW 59th Place, Coconut Creek, FL 33073. Shop the Amazon Wishlist or purchase gift cards for older students to pick out their own items at
Supply giveaways
Back to School Block Party & Backpack Giveaway
Where: Oveta McKeithen Recreation Complex, 445 SW Second St., Deerfield Beach
When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 5
The city of Deerfield Beach is partnering with the Broward Sheriff’s Office to give out backpacks and school supplies to Deerfield Beach residents only. There will be games, a DJ, entertainment and free food. Register at deerfield-beach.com.
Gideons Back to School Bash
Where: Margate Sports Complex, 1695 Banks Road, Margate
When: noon Aug. 5
Gideons Motorcycle Club & Hope Floats Movement will have free backpacks, school supplies and haircuts for children. There will be raffles, music and free entertainment. Visit margatefl.com.
Back to School Round-Up
Where: Sunrise Civic Center, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise
When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 5
Meet representatives from Sunrise schools who can answer questions about the school year. The first 1,000 Sunrise K-12 students will receive a free grade-appropriate book and school supplies. Students must be accompanied by a legal guardian with a driver’s license as proof of Sunrise residency. There also will be refreshments and children’s activities. Free. Visit sunrisefl.gov.
Back to School Backpack & Supplies Giveaway
Where: Wilton Manors Elementary School, 2401 NE Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale
When: noon-5 p.m. Aug. 13
The Peanut Butter & Jelly Project, a nonprofit organization that provides food, clothing, and basic needs and assistance to low-income families and veterans, is giving away 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies, haircuts and hot meals to children. All ages are welcome, but the child must be present. Bring the child’s supply list and a volunteer will help them pick the items. Free. Visit .
Events
Back-to- School Health Fair
Where: Memorial Primary Care Center 4105 Pembroke Road, Hollywood
When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 5
Memorial Healthcare System and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital will be offering school immunizations, vision and hearing screenings, and Broward County Schools physical examinations. Services are guaranteed for the first 100 children and as time permits until 2 p.m. for others. Parents and guardians need to bring their ID and also a copy of the child’s current immunization record. To RSVP, call 954-276-5552 for English or 954-276-5542 for Spanish. Free. Visit .
Splash in the Pines
Where: West Pines Soccer Park, 350 SW 196th Ave., Pembroke Pines
When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 12
Take part in a day of water slides and games with some back-to-school giveaways mixed in. Food trucks and refreshments will be available for purchase. Free admission. Visit .
Back to School Extravaganza and Health Fair
Where: Hope Church of Christ, 1800 N. State Road 7, Hollywood
When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 12
Hosted by Hope Family & Community Services, the event will feature a continental breakfast, workshops on student success and mental health awareness for students in grades K-12 and parents. There will be school supply giveaways,
vaccinations, immunizations and vendors. Free. Contact Jacquelyn Grayson at 786-307-0154 or . Visit weofferhope.org.
Navigating Challenges – A Back-to-School Strategies & Resource Event
Where: The Center for Spiritual Living, 4849 N. Dixie Highway, Oakland Park
When: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 16
During the panel discussion organized by SunServe, experts, educators and experienced parents will share their strategies and tips for navigating the school year. Topics include new laws and mental health with a question-and-answer session and snacks. Free. Register at .
SunServe Youth’s Back-to-School Carnival
Where: Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW Ninth Ave., Fort Lauderdale
When: 4-8 p.m. Aug. 18
SunServe Youth’s event is open to all students offering a range of activities, food and amusement rides. Free backpacks and supplies also will be distributed. SunServe therapists and life coaches will be available. Free. Register at .
Palm Beach County
Supply drives
“One Can, Two Can. Who Can! You Can!” Back-to-School Food Drive
Where: Palm Beach County Food Bank (701 Boutwell Road, #A2, Lake Worth Beach); county library branches: Gardens, Glades Road, Greenacres, Hagen Ranch Road, Lantana Road, Main Library, West Boca Branch, West Boynton Branch and Royal Palm Beach; Royal Palm Brewing Company (543 N. State Road 7, Suite 103, Royal Palm Beach); and First Horizon bank locations in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Delray Beach, Palm Beach, Boca Raton
When: Through Aug. 31
The Palm Beach County Food Bank is working to ensure students get a nutritious start to the school year by collecting beans, fish, chicken, beef, peanut butter, vegetables and fruit. All items should be shelf stable and not in glass packaging. Visit pbcfoodbank.org.
The Education Foundation of Palm Beach County
Where: online
When: Through Aug. 20
Help the foundation equip students with the school supplies they need to be successful in the classroom. Using an Amazon Wishlist, order the exact items the schools require to be sent directly to Red Apple Supplies, where they will be stocked in inventory then packed with teacher’s online orders. Visit . Supporters and companies also can sponsor a backpack starting at $25. Visit .
The Mall at Wellington Green
Where: 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington
When: Through Aug. 6
The mall is collecting school supplies to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. Stop by the Giving Tree on the lower level in Grand Court and select a tag. Shop for the supplies listed on the tag and return them to the Security Office on the upper level down the hallway by JCPenney on or before Aug. 6. For a list of supplies, visit .
Events
Back to School Bash
Where: Tanger Outlets center court, 1751 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach
When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 5
In addition to tax-free back-to-school shopping, the free family event includes live music, photo ops, face painting, crafts and games, balloon artist and giveaways. Visit .
Party in the Park
Where: Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd.
When: 5-8 p.m. Aug. 4
Sponsored by the Christopher Aguirre Memorial Foundation, and hosted in partnership with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Bounce Houses, families can bring the kids to enjoy costumed characters, DJ, face painting, food trucks, Touch-a-Truck with police and fire rescue, trackless train, vendors and a prize wheel to win free back-to-school supplies. Free. Visit .
Back to School Bash & National Night Out
Where: Village Courtyard, 226 Cypress Lane, Palm Springs
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 4
The Village of Palm Springs Library and Police Department are putting on the event with a DJ, games, bounce house, food, giveaways and vendors. Free. Visit .
Road to Back to School
Where: Yesteryear Village, 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 5
Road to Back to School, a teacher-focused event, lets visitors explore the collection of early, original and replicated buildings in the village and the U.B. Kinsey art student exhibit. Teachers can spin the wheel of prizes. Through Aug. 5, Yesteryear Village guests can bring school supply donations to receive a $3 off regular admission ticket per person. Donations must be a minimum of $5. For the Aug. 5 event, admission is free for teachers with a valid school ID, $10 for adults, $7 for age 60 and up, $7 for children ages 6-11, and free for children 5 and under. Visit yesteryearvillage.com.
Second Annual Delray Beach Unity Festival
Where: Pompey Park, 1101 NW Second St.,, Delray Beach
When: 2-9 p.m. Aug. 5
Check out live performances and entertainment, a kids’ zone, pop-up shops, food trucks and back-to-school giveaways. A $25,000 adult basketball tournament with teams from all over the country participating will take place inside the Pompey Park gymnasium. Free admission. Visit delraybeachfl.gov.
Kids Club Back to School Bash
Where: Grand Court at the Mall at Wellington Green, 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington
When: 1-3 p.m. Aug. 5
Kids can take part in activities, including canvas painting at the Art Garden, airbrush tattoos, balloon twisters, music and entertainment. Snacks will be available. Parents and kids can meet representatives from after-school sports and activities, such as Volleyball Academy, Leader Learning Center and Kids Art. Free. Visit .
