Free Back to School Supplies in Central Ohio

A recent article on the Today Show's website takes aim at the rising costs of sending kids back to school. It talked with several parents who are seeing school fees rise alongside of increased requests for monies via fundraising. According to the article, the National Retail Federation predicts the average parent will spend around $688.62 in back-to-school spending up more than 10 percent from the previous year.

While families struggle to recover from economic hits, extra money for supplies is in short supply. That's why Central Ohio organizations are stepping in to help. Several organizations are holding back-to-school rallies and supply giveaway events. Check out listing for locations, dates and requirements.

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Tom Fennessy - Mike Harden Back to School Project
August 10, 2012
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Shoemaker Electric Company
831 Bonham Avenue
Columbus, OH 43211
614.875.3354
Details:School supplies available for students grades K-12.
Eligibility: Students K-12; families must be at 200% of Federal Income Guidelines
Documents Needed: Proof of income. ID card for child. CareSource and Molina cards are acceptable.

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Christian Women United
August 11, 2012
Noon - 6 p.m.
King Arts Complex
867 Mount Vernon Avenue
614.937.8540
Details: Back-to-school event offering free uniforms, school supplies, food, physicals, bookbacks, eyeglasses and eye examinations.
Physicals will take place all day. Uniforms will be given away from noon - 2 p.m.; food from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. and supplies from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Eligibility:Children must be present to receive supplies. Eyeglasses need proof of income or insurance card.


Grove City Nazarene Church Single Parent Fun Day
August 11, 2012
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
4770 Hoover Road
Grove City, OH 43123
614.875.2551
Details: Provides free bookbags and school supplies to the first 1,000 single parents who attend with their children. Also offers gently used clothing, food and child ID services. Services from local businesses, fire trucks, games, face painting, horseback riding and motorcycle rides.

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August 11, 2012
1570 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43209
614.443.3181
restorationcc@sbcglobal.net
Details: A back-to-school rally with free food, free shoes and free school supplies. Also includes free face painting, games and haircut vouchers.
Eligibility: Must live in 43207 zip code. Students must be present.

Touch Back to School Rally
August 12, 2012
12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
3968 E. Main Street
Columbus, OH 43213
614.338.8733
touchprgm@yahoo.com
Details: Free school supplies, games and crafts.
Eligibility: Students in K-12 and must be present to receive supplies.

Harvest Time Ministries International Church
August 13, 2012
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
920 East Fulton Avenue
Columbus, OH 43205
614.252.0641
Details:Free school supplies, school clothing, food, hair vouchers and games.
Eligibility: Students in grades K-12 who live in zip codes 43205 or 43206. Students must be present to receive supplies. Proof of address. Photo ID for adults.

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Vineyard Church of Columbus
August 13, 2012
10 a.m. - noon
6000 Cooper Road
Westerville, OH 43081
info@vineyardcolumbus.org
Details:Free school supplies during annual fair. Event also offers free legal and financial advice, medical screenings for parents, oil changes, crafts and games, face-painting and free motorcycle rides.
Eligibility:Single parents and their children. Must be present to receive school supplies.

Hilliard Church Of Christ
August 13, 2012
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
4300 Avery Road
Hilliard, OH 43026
(614) 876-6136
hcchrist@hcchrist.org
Details: Offers back to school giveaway of bookbags and school supplies. Eligibility: Anyone.

Living Word Church Back to School Blessing
August 18, 2012
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
3007 E. Sixth Avenue
Columbus, OH 43219
admin@livingwordcolumbus.org
Details: Annual back-to-school event with free school supplies and vision screenings.
Eligibility: Students K-12 must be present to receive supplies. Photo I.D. for adults.

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Neighborhood Services
August 15 - 18, 2012
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
1950 North Fourth Street
Suite E
Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 297-0592
DescriptionFree school supplies.
Eligibility: Students in grades K-12. Must live in zip codes 43201, 43202 or 43210. Proof of address either through a lease, mortgage papers or utility bill. ID with birth date for children. Photo ID for adults.


Columbus Christian Center
August 25, 2012
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
2300 North Cassady Avenue
Columbus, OH 43219
614.416.9673
Details:Free School Supplies
Eligibility: Families with students in grades K-12. Students must be present to receive school supplies.

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Destiny's House of Restoration
August 25, 2012
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Gemelos Hair Gallery
52 South James Road
Columbus, OH 43213
Details: Annual back-to-school event with school supply giveaway and free haircuts.
Eligibility: Accepting walk-ins until noon. Children must be accompanied by an adult the entire time and ID proof of school registry needed for children.

Franklin County Veterans Service Commission
Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Tuesday 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Veterans Memorial
250 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 525-2500
veteransservice@franklincountyohio.gov
Details: Provides each dependent of qualified veterans a $20 Meijer gift card to purchase school supplies.
Eligibility: Dependent of qualified veteran. Must be at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. Child's birth certificate, a DD214, and most recent tax return that verifies income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level.

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