MLK Back to School Festival

The MLK Back to School Festival is an annual event for students of all ages and their families to receive free backpacks, school supplies, and other essential items for the new school year.

The festival will take place on Saturday, August 9, 2025, starting at 9 a.m. at the MLK, Jr. Community Center. This is a drive-through event and children must be present to receive items. The limit is 2 families per car and 4 children per family.

You do not have to register to attend or to receive items! Items will be distributed on a first-come, first- served basis.

If you are interested in being a part of the event, you can register to become a Community Partner.

Community Partnership Registration (Registration is now closed)

Are you interested in setting up a table in the drive-through? Community Partnership is available!

Community Partners can:

Set up a table to distribute your own pre-packaged items during the event. You are expected to provide 1,000 pre-packaged items to participate. There is no charge to set up a table.
Donate items on behalf of your business or organization to be distributed during the event. Items must be pre-approved by staff members.
Donate funds towards the purchase of items. Please contact a staff member for details.

Community Partners will receive one 6-foot table and 2 chairs. You must bring your own tent or canopy!

Community Partner Registration is now closed.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 214-670-8418.

Donate

We are now collecting donations of new school supplies, which will be stuffed into 1000 backpacks for distribution.

The deadline to donate is Friday, August 1, 2025. Please deliver items to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, Monday-Friday, between 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., or on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

For more information, contact us at 214-670-8418.

Suggested Items:

Clear backpacks
Notebook paper
Construction/Manila Paper
Binders
Dividers
2 pocket folders with prongs
Spiral notebooks
Index cards
Colored pencils
Colored markers
Dry erase markers
Rulers
Scissors
Pencil bag or box
Erasers
Glue/Glue sticks
Kleenex
Over the Ear Headphones
Informational resources
Giveaways with your logo
Household cleaning supplies (Liquid Soap, Clorox or Lysol Wipes, Laundry Detergent, Paper Towels, etc.)
Unisex T-shirts (XS, S, M, L, XL)
Underwear (XS, S, M, L, XL)