Back to school: Here's where you'll find free school supplies in the OKC metro this weekend

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Oklahoma's 2025 Sales Tax Holiday has arrived, but with school supplies exempt from the list, many metro community partners are stepping up this weekend to help parents save on the basics.

300 backpacks with essentials were handed out at Central Community Church on August 1 for its seventh annual Change A Child backpack drive.

"School supplies have never been cheap," said Jennifer Hawkins, one of the organizers. "We had five kids. We always had people that would help us. We had family, friends that would help us. So we just wanted to do that for other people, give back to our community."

The need has been so high that the Moore Police Department shared on social media August 1 that people had been calling dispatch and showing up at department locations asking for school supplies. A spokesperson News 4 spoke with Friday said that they had seen a few handfuls of show-ups and calls because of an old social media post circulating from last year about a school supply drive. The department said it wasn't able to secure donations for a 2025 drive.

There are several more events supplying free school supplies to families scheduled from August 2-3:

• Saturday, August 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oklahoma City Public Schools has its first of a planned pair of Back to School bashes. The event is at Douglass High School. The district says parents and their kids will be able to grab school supplies, meet with community partners, and have other educational conversations to help your children during the school year.
• Saturday, August 2, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. First Christian Church of Edmond is hosting a back-to-school resource fair. Backpacks filled with school supplies will be handed out (while supplies last). 300 vouchers will also be handed out to kids to get free haircuts at a local Sports Clips. Several local resource organizations will also be available on-site.
• Saturday, August 2, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Northeast Church of Christ is hosting a back-to-school event, promising free school supplies for kids.
• Saturday, August 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., OK City Center will be hosting a back-to-school bash. Free backpacks with school supplies will be handed out. There will also be a carnival, free lunch and free clothes.
• Sunday, August 2, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., The Vortex Craft Burgers & BBQ is hosting a back-to-school bash.
• Sunday, August 3, at 1 p.m., Westmoore Community Church is hosting a back-to-school supply drive. Organizers will be giving out free school supplies, pizza, and supplying free haircuts.
• Sunday, August 3, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Cheba Hut "Toasted" Subs is hosting a back-to-school bash. Organizers are handing out school supplies. There will also be live music, free haircuts and carnival games.