Leaders at Indianapolis Public Schools are asking families to help their neighbors and teachers by picking up extra supplies when back-to-school shopping.
They’re asking families to review a list of supplies online and consider picking out a few items to donate to Indianapolis schools. Those items will support a back-to-school supply drive that will extend through the start of the new school year.
High-need items include backpacks, water bottles, hand sanitizer, pencils and dry erase markers, said Tiffany Parker, who is a Family and Community Engagement manager with IPS.
How to help
IPS will accept school supply donations through late August on the first floor of the John Morton Finney Center for Educational Services, 120 E. Walnut St.
The center is open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“A lot of our families face financial hardships and, right now, school supplies will quickly become a major expense,” Parker said. “We just want to reduce the cost for parents and teachers.”
Families and other community members can drop off the items at IPS’ John Morton-Finney Center for Educational Services downtown. Volunteers will then match the supplies to items requested by schools across the city.
Companies looking to make a larger donation can contact Parker at parkertm@myips.org to coordinate a larger supply drop.
The supply drive comes as IPS gears up for the first day of school on Aug. 4. Individual school open houses begin across IPS on July 19 and extend through Aug 1.
The open houses are an opportunity for families to meet school staff and learn about available resources before the start of the school year, an IPS spokesperson said.
You can look up your school’s open house date and time on the IPS website.
Other back-to-school events in Indianapolis
Warren Township: Warren Township Back to School Celebration
🗓️ 5-7 p.m. July 17
📍 Moorhead Community Resource Center, 8400 E 10th St.
Center Township: IPS Parent Empowerment Conference
🗓️ 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 18
📍Butler University’s South Campus, in the Main Building at 1000 W. 42nd St.
🎟️ Registration required
Decatur Township: The Villages of Indiana and CareSource Wellness Day
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19
📍Children’s Village Childcare Center in the AmeriPlex business park, 5555 Galeao Court
Warren Township: Backpack Giveaway and Community Day
🗓️ 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19
📍New Beginnings Fellowship Church, 2125 N. German Church Road.
Lawrence Township: Back-to-School Celebration
🗓️ Noon to 2 p.m. July 20
📍Alexander Park, 4902 Charney Ave.
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Mirror Indy reporter Carley Lanich covers early childhood and K-12 education. Contact her at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org or follow her on X @carleylanich.
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