It's that time of year again—kids are heading back to school! We've compiled a roundup of all the supply giveaways and preschool celebrations taking place in our community. Check it out and get ready for an exciting new school year!
Friday, Aug. 1
• Back to School Bash
Club Halo, 1501 Skibo Rd.
10 a.m.
Backpacks and school supplies will be given to children in need in the parking lot of Club Halo while supplies last. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/ykbux5xs.
Saturday, Aug. 2
• Annual Back-to-School Giveaway
Anderson Creek Community Church, 2085 Ray Rd., Spring Lake
9 a.m.
Book bags, school supplies, food, drinks, and hygiene items will be handed out. This is open to students in K-12th grades. The child must be present to receive items. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2s3r79fb.
• Community BACK 2 SCHOOL Outreach
Christ Worship Center Church, 4453 Black Bridge Rd., Parkton
11 a.m.
Free book bags filled with school supplies will be handed out. Free haircuts will be given to school-age boys. For more info: Call 910-423-7777 or visit cwcconline.org.
• Back to School Catfish for Kids Bash
Deep Creek Outfitters, 1122 Person St.
9 a.m.
Join the Bottom Feeders Fishing Club at Deep Creek Outfitters for a fun-filled day of fishing, laughter, and community as they celebrate the end of summer and gear up for the school year! Enjoy a fantastic atmosphere with prizes, music, delicious food, and plenty of catfish. Don’t forget to bring your fishing rods—it's going to be a great time! For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/mvdb4fan.
• Back 2 School Community Day
Rock Spring AME Zion Church, 4028 Legion Rd., Hope Mills
10 a.m.
The community day will be a chance for kids to get school supplies, food, and free haircuts. There will also be a bouncy house, petting zoo, and local vendors. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/mts4tyk8.
Tuesday, Aug. 5
• Back-to-School Teacher Appreciation Night
WoodmenLife Chapter 60, 414 E. Mountain Dr.
6:30 p.m.
Join WoodmenLife Chapter 60 wants to show their thanks and appreciation to all the amazing teachers out there. Enjoy free subs and snacks and receive a goody bag filled with supplies for your classroom while supplies last. Please bring your school ID to the event.
To RSVP, call 910-485-1577.
Thursday, Aug. 7
• Back 2 School Bash
Prodigal Ministries, 7345 Clinton Rd., Stedman
7 p.m.
Come out and get a bookbag filled with school supplies. Enjoy some food, a bounce house, games, and music. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/bdzh3p4d.
Friday, Aug. 8
• Back-to-School Bash & Alumni Soccer Game
Fayetteville Academy, 3200 Cliffdale Rd.
4 p.m.
Join Fayetteville Academy on Aug. 8 for their exciting 2025–2026 Back-to-School Bash and Alumni Soccer Game! They’re thrilled to celebrate the Lacrosse State Championship Team with a special tribute. Enjoy delicious food from local food trucks, bounce around in the inflatable bounce house, groove to some great music, and so much more! Don’t miss out on the fun! For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4pk6xthc
Saturday, Aug. 9
• Kids Back to School Bowling
Dragon Lanes, 1013 Bastogne Dr., Fort Bragg
1 p.m.
Exciting news for kids ages 5 to 16! The first 250 kids to arrive will enjoy a complimentary game of bowling and a free meal! For everyone else in that age group, just $5 gets you a hot dog, a 16oz soda, one game of bowling, and shoe rental. Plus, they’ll be giving away backpacks filled with school supplies to kids ages 5 to 16—while supplies last, so be sure to get there early! And don’t worry, parents and siblings can join in on the fun too! You can bowl a game and rent shoes for just $1 each. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/ycycw4ba.
• Back to School Bash
1Hope, 1922 Henley Rd., Sanford
6 p.m.
Bring the family out for free school supplies, snacks, games, and door prizes. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/rjrsnn2a.
• FLOW Automotive Back-To-School Bash with the Fayetteville Marksmen
Flow Buick-GMC of Fayetteville, 5264 Red Tip Rd.
11 a.m.
Starting at 11 a.m., families from Cumberland County Schools can present their completed bookmarks to receive complimentary tickets to an exciting hockey game! A big thank you to FLOW Automotive for providing students with the chance to take home new school supplies after enjoying some tasty snacks and fun activities at the dealership! And don’t forget—keep pushing through as you work towards finishing your summer reading goals! You've got this! For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4493sfs2.
• Rhema Ministries Back to School Bash
Rhema Ministries COGIC, 539 Horseshoe Rd.
11 a.m.
At this Back-to-School Bash, kids will receive book bags and school supplies. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/384c37m2.
• Ready, Set, Smile Back to School Jam & Health Fair
Evans Metropolitan AME Zion Church
301 N. Cool Spring Street
10 a.m.
Bring the family out for free Colgate dental screenings, health resources, school supplies, food and tasty treats, music, games, and more. Meet the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club and Bunker, the Fayetteville Woodpeckers' mascot. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/29x2bd3k.
• Sábado 9 de agosto
Back to School Bash
Ministerio Monte De Los Olivos, 1028 Pamalee Dr.
9 a.m.
¡Ven y preparate con nosotros para este regreso a clases!
Estaremos entregando mochilas con útiles escolares, tendremos free garage, entre otras actividades. Cada mochila tendrá: 3 libretas, 2 Folders, Lápices de Colores, Lápices, Crayolas, & Gomas para borrar. ¡No querrás perdértelo! Para obtener más información, visite https://www.facebook.com/events/1790558215003448.
Wednesday, Aug. 13
• Back to School BBQ
Hillcrest Baptist Church, 2699 US 401 Business, Raeford
5 p.m.
Celebrate the start of a new year with a BBQ with pulled pork, hot dogs, coleslaw, baked beans, chips, and dessert. Also enjoy outdoor games like basketball, pickleball, cornhole, and more. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yyd669a2.
Saturday, Aug. 16
• Back to School Festival
Berean Baptist Academy, 518 Glensford Dr.
10 a.m.
This year’s festival is set to align perfectly with the Bulldog Classic, their annual varsity-level volleyball and soccer tournament hosted by the BBA athletic department to kick off the sports season. As a special treat, school families will enjoy free admission to all the tournament games that day. Come out and support the teams while having a great time! For more information, visit
https://tinyurl.com/22dzy9ad.
• Back-to-School Supply & Food Drive
Eureka Baptist Church, 1591 Eureka Ave.
11 a.m.
Free boxes of food, including chicken and non-perishable items, will be given out, as well as school supplies for students in grades K-12 (backpacks not included). For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2ch9uj54.
• Hoke County Back to School Bash
East Hoke Middle School, 4702 Fayetteville Rd., Raeford
9 a.m.
Come out for a fantastic school supply giveaway, delicious food, and loads of fun! There will be local schools and community organizations on hand, so it’s a great chance to connect and get ready for the school year. Don’t miss out! For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/mrvrsveh.
• 18th Gotcha' Back School Kickoff
Crown Expo Center, 1960 Coliseum Dr
11 a.m.
August 16th is a day dedicated to community, culture, and connection! Head out to the Crown Expo Center for an exciting lineup of events, including: Free backpacks and school supplies, a Candidate’s Fair and voter registration, an HBCU College Fair and step show, a Youth Symposium and empowerment sessions. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to engage, learn, and connect with others in our community! For more information, contact thegrouptheoryinc@gmail.com.
Saturday, Aug. 23
• Back To School Giveaway
Big Erv BBQ & 910 Sweets, 670 N. Reilly Rd.
1 p.m.
Join in for the 2nd Annual Book Bag and School Supply Giveaway, hosted by Big Erv BBQ & 910 Sweets! Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 23rd. Bring the whole family to enjoy a day filled with fun activities, including a bounce house, yard games, great music, and delicious food at “The Neighborhood Pit Stop.” For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/pfjbv2by.
Sunday, Aug. 24
• 3rd Annual Back to School Bazaar
Rainbow Clothing Store Parking Lot, 5701 Yadkin Rd.
3 p.m.
Get ready for a Double Dutch Competition, Talent Showcase, school supply and gym bag giveaway, fashion show, karaoke, outdoor activities, games, food and more. To register, email iamplush2010@gmail.com.
Saturday, Aug. 30
• Back to School Kickoff
College Lakes Recreation Center, 4945 Rosehill Rd.
1 p.m.
Head out for a great free family event that includes fun, games, activities, prizes, giveaways, and more. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/26594553.