ACADIANA, La. — Back-to-school will be here before you know it, so it's time to start thinking about school supplies.
Whether you're looking to donate, collect, or get them blessed, here are the school supply events happening around Acadiana.
This is a growing list, so if you have a drive or event that you would like to include, please email calyn.lamanno@katctv.com.
ACROSS ACADIANA
Blessings in a Backpack
Little Blessings Academy is assisting families in need with its community back-to-school drive, which began July 8 and ends July 30.
There are a few ways you can get involved:
Donating new, unused school supplies at any of the drop-off locations:
- Little Blessings of Carencro at 104 Four Park Rd. in Lafayette
- Little Blessings of Scott at 3109 W. Willow St. in Scott
- Little Blessings of Broussard at 901 E. Main St. in Broussard
- Little Blessings of Milton at 400 W. Milton Ave. in Lafayette
- Little Blessings of Lafayette at 215 Rue Louis XIV in Lafayette
- Little Blessings of Youngsville at 214 Church St. in Youngsville
- Little Blessings of Breaux Bridge at 1822 Rees St. in Breaux Bridge
- Little Blessings of West Lafayette at 801 Pandora St. in Lafayette
- Mini Me Learning Academy at 3044 Verot School Rd. in Lafayette
- Guchereau Learning Academy at 609 S. College Rd. in Lafayette
- Gingerbread House I at 517 Vicnaire St. in New Iberia
- Gingerbread House II at 606 Rue De Lion in New Iberia
- Purchasing items directly from the Amazon Wishlist:
- Giving a monetary donation, which Little Blessings Academy will match
If you are in need or would like to nominate a family in need, you can apply to receive a backpack by filling out this confidential form: Apply to receive a backpack
Pack the Backpack
Gifting Grace Project is holding its Pack the Backpack drive for homeless children in Acadiana from July 1 to July 31, with volunteer events happening from August 1 to August 6.
There are a few ways you can get involved:
- Sponsor a student with a $40 donation: Donate to bring Hope to Homeless Children
- Drop off school supplies at any drop-off location: Drop-off site list
- Shop Gifting Grace Project's Amazon Wishlist: Amazon Wishlist
- Volunteer to help pick up donations, sort items, pack backpacks or distribute backpacks between Aug. 1 and Aug. 6: Sign up to volunteer
The main event to pack the backpacks will take place on Saturday, Aug. 3, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Mendoza Ford at 7951 Maurice Ave. in Maurice
United Way of Acadiana Stuff the Bus Teacher Shopping Days
United Way of Acadiana is hosting their Stuff the Bus Teacher Shopping Days throughout Acadiana between July 26 and Aug. 2.
United Way of Acadiana collected school supplies with their Stuff the Bus campaign in order to support our educators in creating dynamic learning environments that inspire their students. The Teacher Shopping Days are times when teachers from parishes across Acadiana can come get the supplies they need.
Each school system has invited the staff who should attend each shopping day.
Locations, dates and times:
- Acadia Parish - July 31 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Acadia Parish Educational Center at 2402 N. Parkerson Ave. in Crowley
- Iberia Parish - July 31 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Belle Place Middle School at 4110 Loreauville Rd. in New Iberia
- Lafayette Parish - July 26 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Lafayette Middle School at 1301 W. University Ave. in Lafayette
- St. Martin Parish - August 1 at 10 a.m. at St. Martin Parish School Board at 625 Corporate Blvd. in Breaux Bridge
- Vermilion Parish - August 2 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at James A. Herrod Elementary School at 120 Odea St. in Abbeville
ACADIA PARISH
Back 2 School Bash
Rayne Temple Church is hosting their Back 2 School Bash on Sunday, August 2 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This city-wide, faith-based event is free to the public and will feature the "True Mission Matters" Project, live music, dancing, the Get Hyped Program, free food and drinks, and a free backpack giveaway while supplies last.
Location: Rayne Depot Square at 101 E. Texas Ave. in Rayne
Back To School Seminar and Backpack Giveaway
The National Association of University Women - Crowley Branch will have their Back To School Seminar and Backpacks filled with School supplies Giveaway on Thursday, Aug. 8 at 6 p.m.
At the event, students will receive tips and supplies for a successful school year. Gift cards will be given away, and refreshments will be served.
Location: Martin Luther King Center at 1725 W. Hutchinson Ave. in Crowley
IBERIA PARISH
Stuff the Bus
Baristas at The Main Cup have constructed a "school bus" cardboard box in the lobby of the coffee shop to encourage patrons to drop off school supplies to be donated to Loreauville Elementary and High Schools.
The drive began on July 7 and will end on July 27 after the Bougie Burger Back to School Bash.
Location: The Main Cup at 101 N. Main St. in Loreauville
Bougie Burger Back to School Bash
This community event is the culmination to The Main Cup's "Stuff the Bus" school supply drive and will take place on July 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event will have food, music and fun:
- Menu: locally-sourced burger, potato wedges and espresso cheesecake
- Live music: Nicole Marie and Johnny Chauvin from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Face painting from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Meals will be available for dine-in or pick-up from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tickets will be $30 per person and will include your burger, side, dessert and beverage. You must purchase tickets in advance at The Main Cup.
Location: The Main Cup at 101 N. Main St. in Loreauville
JEFF DAVIS PARISH
Jeff Davis Parish School Supply Drive
The Jeff Davis Parish annual school supply drive's deadline for dropping off school supplies is Friday, July 26 at 12 p.m.
Residents are encouraged to contribute by placing donations in designated bins around the parish.
Bin Locations:
- Jennings City Hall at 154 N. Main St. in Jennings
- Lake Arthur City Hall at 102 Arthur Ave. in Lake Arthur
- Jeff Davis Courthouse at 300 N. State St. in Jennings
Back To School Movie Night
The Jeff Davis Parish Back To School Movie Night is on Friday, July 26 at 5 p.m.
The evening will feature a movie screening, which will begin at 6 p.m. Pizza and snacks will be available during the screening.
During the event, school supplies will be distributed to children in need.
Location: Jeff Davis Parish Fairgrounds multipurpose building at 810 S. Lake Arthur Ave. in Jennings
Backpack Giveaway
A backpack giveaway is being held on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
It is a drive-thru event, where each child will receive a free backpack, while supplies last. There is a limit of two free backpacks per car, and children will need to be present to receive them.
Location: Welsh Community Center at 101 Palmer St. in Welsh
LAFAYETTE PARISH
Back to School Supply Giveaway
The Good Fight Foundation will have their annual back to school supply giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or until supplies last.
The giveaway is first come, first served, with a maximum of three backpacks per vehicle.
Location: 1212 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy. in Lafayette
Backpack Project
Mable's Table is hosting its 9th annual Backpack Project. The volunteer event to stuff the backpacks is on Friday, July 26, from 3 to 5 p.m.
There are a few ways to get involved with the Mable's Table Backpack Project:
- Collect supplies to fill backpacks:
- Here is the school supply list: School Supply List
- Here is Mable's Table's Amazon Wishlist: Amazon
- School supply drop-off locations:
- Caroline & Co. at 1800 Kalist Saloom Rd. Ste. 100 in Lafayette
- Grace Presbyterian Church at 518 Roselawn Blvd. in Lafayette
- Evangeline Bank at 711 W. Congress in Lafayette
- Donate to Mable's Table: PayPal
- Volunteer with your family to fill 300 backpacks and 100 homework kits
Location: Volunteer event at Grace Presbyterian Church at 518 Roselawn Blvd. in Lafayette
Mass to Bless the Students
St. Edmond Catholic Church is hosting special masses to bless the students, teachers, school staff and backpacks before the start of school.
There will be three special masses:
- Saturday, Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. (Spanish Mass)
- Sunday, Aug. 4 at 11 a.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 4 at 5 p.m.
Location: Saint Edmond Catholic Church at 4131 W. Congress St. in Lafayette
Back to School Bash
Healthy Blue is holding their back to school bash on Sunday, Aug. 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
At the event, students can collect school supplies, receive free haircuts and get health screenings.
Location: Domingue Recreation Center at 901 Mudd Ave. in Lafayette
School Supply Drive
Cajun Harley-Davidson is hosting a school supply drive on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Donations can be dropped off during those hours.
Location: Cajun Hardley-Davidson at 724 I-10 S. Frontage Rd. in Scott
Back To School Bash
Parc de Oaks, Get Your Game On and Sekanis Wings are hosting a back to school bash on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event will have free hygiene products, free school supplies and free haircuts and braids. There will also be food trucks, VR mobile gaming, face painting and music by DJ MadMax.
The student must be present to receive a bag.
The middle school giveaway of 200 bags will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The high school giveaway of 200 bags will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Parc de Oaks at 3302 Moss St. in Lafayette
Back to School Bash
The Carencro Kiwanis Club is having their annual Back to School Bash on Sunday, Aug. 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At the event, they will be collecting comfort closet items, which include the following:
- mesh/clear backpacks
- gently used uniforms
- new underwear/socks
- toothbrush/toothpaste
- body wash
- hygiene products
They will be playing bingo. To receive a bingo card, bring in any comfort closet item or monetary donation.
They will also have free haircuts for students signed in by 1 p.m. If getting a haircut, please come with freshly washed hair.
Location: Carencro Community Center at 5115 N. University Ave. in Carencro
Lafayette City Marshal Reggie Thomas Fourth Annual Drive-Thru Backpack Giveaway
Lafayette City Marshal Reggie Thomas will hold his fourth annual drive-thru backpack giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 8 a.m.
At the event, they will be giving away clear backpacks filled with school supplies. To receive a backpack, children must be in the car.
Location: Destiny of Faith Church at 409 Patterson St. in Lafayette
ST. LANDRY PARISH
Back To School Drive
State Representative Dustin Miller will be hosting his back to school drives in Opelousas and Washington.
Opelousas: On Sunday, Aug. 4, they will have the back to school drive in Opelousas from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
They will be giving away clear and mesh book sacks and will have haircuts.
Children must be present.
Location: Hope for Opelousas at 330 E. Madison St. in Opelousas
Washington: On Wednesday, July 31, they will have the back to school drive in Washington from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
They will be giving away clear and mesh book sacks.
Children must be present.
Location: Town of Washington Pavilion at 117 E. Veteran Memorial Hwy. in Washington
VERMILION PARISH
Backpack Drive
Motion Barbers will be having their first backpack drive on Thursday, Aug. 1 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
They will have over 100 backpacks to giveaway and will be serving food and drinks. They will also be giving away two bikes.
Students must be present to receive backpacks.
If you would like to donate a backpack for the drive, you can bring it to the Motion Barbers shop between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Location: Motion Barbers at 116 W. Ninth St. in Kaplan
Back To School Braids And Fades
Kutdoctor Cuts is holding their 15th annual Back To School Braids And Fades event on Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This is a free event for boys and girls with free food, games and door prizes.
There will also be a backpack and school supply giveaway.
Location: 1923 Charity St. in Abbeville
Again, this is a growing list, so if you have a drive or event that you would like to include, please email calyn.lamanno@katctv.com.
