Several area organizations are hosting back-to-school supply drives and giveaways in anticipation for the beginning of the 25-26 school year.
DeKalb County Schools, along with the County Police Department, is having a “Stuff the Bus” school drive at various locations around the city on Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Drop-off locations include DeKalb Police Headquarters,1960 W. Exchange Pl. in Tucker, Dunwoody City Hall at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, and the South DeKalb Mall at 2801 Candler Rd. in Decatur.
“We’re collecting school supplies to help students start the year strong,” the announcement said. “Look for the DeKalb County school bus in the parking lot and help us fill it with backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and more.”
Needed items include:
• clear and multi-color backpacks
• graph paper
• spiral notebooks
• pocket folders
• index cards
• pencils
• mechanical pencils
• pens
• erasers
• glue sticks
• rulers
• highlighters
• small calculators
This is the fifth year that the event has been organized by now-DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran- Johnson. She has also held a similar event during the holidays to collect toys.
Now celebrating its ninth year, First Day Fulton is a back-to-school event helping students and parents prepare for the new school year with information, community services, free school supplies and giveaways on July 26 from noon to 4 p.m.
As well as giving away free school supplies, the system is offering free vision, hearing, dental, and nutrition screenings to fulfill Form 3300, at Riverwood High School, 5900 Raider Dr. in Sandy Springs and Georgia International Convention Center,
2000 Convention Center Concourse in College Park, Ga.
The Dunwoody Police Department is also organizing a back-to-school supply drive. All donations must be new, and can be dropped off at police headquarters, 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road through Aug. 13.
In-person donations are also being collected at National Night Out, held at 4575 North Shallowford Road on Aug. 5 from 5-8 p.m.
Those interested in donating a specific item can visit the SignUpGenius page to select one or more items to donate. Available items include pencils, boxes of tissues, crayon boxes, erasers and book bags.
The City Schools of Decatur is hosting its annual Back-to-School Bash on Thursday, July 24 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Decatur High School, 310 N McDonough St . The event, held in the school’s gymnasium, will feature special guests, performances, and various activities for all ages, including games, crafts, and STEM demonstrations. Backpacks and school supplies will be distributed while supplies last.