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Free school supplies Memphis and Shelby County

Updated October 21, 2025 • 4 min read • 829 words
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Free school supplies Memphis and Shelby County TN

There are several charities, non-profits and school districts in Shelby County that will provide students free supplies for the school year. Low-income families can get backpacks, clothes, uniforms, sneakers, tablets and more. Find where to get free school supplies in the Memphis TN area. Most of the programs are first-come served, meaning applications need to be sent early or the giveaway events are limited in resources. There will be free back to school supplies for students in all grades in the Memphis and Shelby County school districts, including for kindergarten up to high school. The school supplies are generally combined with personal hygiene kits and other stuff a student may need, and there are also free clothing closets in Shelby County that low-income families can use.

Places that give out free back to school supplies in the Memphis area.

Koinonia Christian Center

Location is 10525 Macon Rd #107, Cordova, TN 38016. Dial (901) 757-0700 for details on the event One day a year this charity has a back to school event, in which students from Shelby County are schools will get a free backpack full of supplies. There may be writing material (pens, highlighters, etc.), paper, notebooks and more.

Salvation Army of Shelby County

There are multiple locations in the region, including in the city of Memphis. They hold annual school supply giveaway events and provide food and more. Students will get free clothes, binders, backpacks, sneakers/shoes, coats and more. Locate Salvation Army assistance programs in Memphis .

Limit Breaker Church

6720 E Raines Rd, Memphis, TN 38115. Dial (901) 878-5970 Free school supplies are given out as well as other items, such as food, basic health screenings, haircuts and more. The churches partners with the community to help students get the supplies they need.

New Direction Christian Church of Hickory Hill

The program is at 6120 Winchester Rd, Memphis, TN 38115. Main phone: (901) 433-3871 Free school backpacks are full of supplies. Get protractors, backpacks, crayons, lunch boxes and many other items for kids of all ages.

Cathedral of Faith Community Church

  • clothes center is at 2212 Jackson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38112. Call (901) 327-1616
  • free clothing closet will also have items for students, including backpacks, uniforms, shoes, jeans, socks and more. Some writing material may be given out too.

Shelby County Community Services Agency

The organization is at 1188 Minna Pl, Memphis, TN 38104. Call (901) 222-4200 They provide many social services to low-income families, including vouchers (for school supplies), grant money, information on free phones or tablet programs from Lifeline and more. Parents, teachers and students in Shelby County schools can get help, even a phone from the government. Find more details on free government cell phone programs .

Central Church

Location is 2005 E Winchester Blvd, Collierville, TN 38017. Main phone: (901) 888-4673 Backpacks full of supplies, clothes, uniforms and more are given out each year during the summer. Get free school supplies with paper, index cards, pencils and many other goods. They of partner with New Direction Christian Church listed above.

Hickory Hill Community Center - Love Foundation

3910 Ridgeway Rd, Memphis, TN 38115. Phone: (901) 636-0780 The charity will generally focus it free school supply giveaways on younger students, mostly in elementary school. Free school items for kindergarten to 6th graders in the Memphis public schools. Additional one time school supply giveaways are held across the region. The charities and churches listed below will often hold an event that gives free school backpacks to kids, and there will be various supplies in them. All of them are limited in resources, and for dates or times dial 211 Greenlaw Community Center - 190 Mill Ave, Memphis, TN 38105 Mission of Bonds Kids Inc. helps youth of all ages with books, mentoring, free school supplies, clothes and more. The email is . Freedom From Unnecessary Negatives, also known as FFUN, helps kids at risk. Part of what they do is help them prepare for the school year. Call 901-527-3149. Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education will also generally home a school supply giveaway. Free notebooks, backpacks, folders, calculator and more are given away with a backpack. Call (901) 416-5447 for the one day event.