News

Parents and teachers seeking back-to-school supplies have numerous options in August in the Pittsburgh region.

Back to School Blast Off

JADA House International and the Hazelwood Cafe will hold a Back to School Blast Off from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16. The event will take place at Mill 19, located at 4501 Lytle St.

The back-to-school event will include backpacks, school supplies, free haircuts, a DJ, Legacy Arts, a spoken word performance by Devontae Butler, free food, resource tables, the Thomas Wendy Trio Jazz Band, and children’s activities.

Other Events

Other back-to-school events will be held across the city in August. 

Events in the East include:

• Lean on Me: Back-to-School Drive (Saturday, Aug. 16 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 1 Memorial Park Lane, Penn Hills Township); for more information, call 412-337-3001
• Back-to-School Bash (TBD at the Latino Community Center, 5750 Baum Blvd.); for more information, call 412-335-7446 or email info@latinocommunitycenter.org. 
• Free Kids Clothing program at Thriftique (119 51st St. in Lawrenceville); for more information, call 412-742-4951
• Backpack Bash (TBD at Salvation Army Homewood-Brushton Worship & Service Center, 8020 Frankstown Ave.); for more information, call 412-242-1434; event will include clothing, food, haircuts, Christmas sign-ups; registration is required

Events in the South include:

• KidsLinked Pittsburgh-South-Hills Children’s Festival (Saturday, Aug. 16 from noon to 3 p.m. at AHN Sports Complex at Cool Springs, 3001 Cool Springs Drive)
• SHIM Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway (TBD at 2601 South Park Road, Bethel Park); for more information, call 412-854-9120
• Backpack Block Party – (Friday, Aug. 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The South Church Pittsburgh, 1922 Pennsylvania Ave., West Mifflin); for more information, call 412-927-5111 or email info@sourcechurch.com; register early – first come, first served
• Back-to-School Bash with the 4:12 Foundation (Saturday, Aug. 2 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 2419 State Ave., Coraopolis); for more information, call 412-758-5188. The first 300 children will receive a free backpack with school supplies.

Events in the North include:

• PPS Back to School (Monday, Aug. 18 at North Shore). Backpack and school supply distribution for all Pittsburgh Public School students. For more information, call 412-529-4357.
• North Hills Community Outreach (distributed in August); for more information, call 412-487-6316, ext. 3143; registration required
• Glade Lutheran Services (multiple locations); for more information, call 742-452-4453, exts. 1083 or 1084