Lerner & Rowe celebrates the 2026 – 2027 school year by giving away 6,250 backpacks stuffed with school supplies in seven cities across the United States: Albuquerque, Phoenix, Yuma, Tucson, Las Vegas, and Northwest Indiana.
Make sure that you arrive on time to pick up your backpack before they are gone. Backpacks will only be provided to school-aged children that attend one of the giveaways in person.
Here’s where to find all the fun in a location near you:
Our team looks forward to sharing these events with our community neighbors!
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August 1, 2026— Portage, Indiana | Portage Police Department (6260 Central Avenue, Portage, IN 46368) | 9:00 a.m. until supplies last
| Parking Tips: Parking is available in the surrounding business plazas and north of the event at Founder’s Square Park.
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Portage Back to School Event Highlights
Join us for a fun-filled outdoor event as we give away 1,000 FREE backpacks filled with school supplies to local students! Families can also enjoy snacks, activities, and other giveaways while supplies last.
Students must be present to receive a backpack. Backpacks and snacks will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Anyone interested in learning more about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Portage, Indiana, Backpack Giveaway should contact Arianna Hensley by email at [email protected], or by phone at (708) 222-2222, ext. 6325.
Previous 2026 Backpack Giveaway Stops
July 7, 2026— Albuquerque, NM | EXPO New Mexico (300 San Pedro Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108) | 4:00 p.m. until supplies last*
| Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event starts and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot.
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Albuquerque Back to School Event Highlights
Get ready for back-to-school fun! 1,000 students who attend our indoor Albuquerque giveaway will receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies to help kick off the new school year. Plus, be sure to grab a snack and some Lerner & Rowe swag, as well as participate in fun activities while you’re there! Backpacks and giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive a backpack.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Albuquerque Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette with Lerner and Rowe at (505) 544-4444.
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July 9, 2026— Phoenix, AZ | AZ Athletic Grounds (6321 S Ellsworth Rd., Mesa, AZ 85212) | 5:00 p.m. until supplies last*
| Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event begins and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot. Because the event will take place in Fieldhouse C, the best parking options for families are Lots 3 and 4, which offer ample parking and convenient access to the venue.
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Phoenix East Valley Back to School Event Highlights
Get ready for back-to-school fun! 750 students who attend our indoor backpack giveaway in the Phoenix East Valley will receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies to help kick off the new school year. Plus, be sure to grab a snack and some Lerner & Rowe swag, as well as participate in fun activities while you’re there! Backpacks and giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive a backpack.
NEW FOR 2026: We’re giving away FREE tennis shoes to the first 500 kids in line!
Just like the backpacks and other giveaways, shoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. We encourage families to arrive early, as only the first 550 kids in line will receive a free pair.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Phoenix Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette with Lerner and Rowe at (602) 977-1900.
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July 11, 2026— Yuma, AZ | Yuma County Fairgrounds (2520 E 32nd St, Yuma, AZ 85365) | 2:00 p.m. until supplies last*
| Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event starts and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot.
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Yuma Back to School Event Highlights
Get ready for back-to-school fun! 1,000 students who attend our indoor Yuma giveaway will receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies to help kick off the new school year. Plus, be sure to grab a snack and some Lerner & Rowe swag, as well as participate in fun activities while you’re there! Backpacks and giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive a backpack.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Yuma Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette with Lerner and Rowe at (928) 222-2222.
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July 13, 2026— Tucson, AZ | Tucson Convention Center (260 S Church Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701) | 4:00 p.m. until supplies last*
| Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event starts and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot. Complimentary parking will be located in Lot B on the day of the event. Families will enter through the Grand Lobby doors to the Copper Ballroom. There will be visible signs out leading the way.
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Tucson Back to School Event Highlights
Get ready for back-to-school fun! 750 students who attend our indoor Tucson giveaway will receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies to help kick off the new school year. Plus, be sure to grab a snack and some Lerner & Rowe swag, as well as participate in fun activities while you’re there! Backpacks and giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive a backpack.
NEW FOR 2026: We’re giving away FREE tennis shoes to the first 500 kids in line!
Just like the backpacks and other giveaways, shoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. We encourage families to arrive early, as only the first 550 kids in line will receive a free pair.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Tucson Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette with Lerner and Rowe at (520) 977-1900.
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July 15, 2026— North Las Vegas, NV | Mojave High School (5302 Goldfield St. North Las Vegas 89031) | 4:00 p.m. until supplies last*
| Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event starts and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot.
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Las Vegas Area Back to School Event Highlights
Get ready for back-to-school fun! Students who attend our indoor North Las Vegas giveaway will receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies to help kick off the new school year. Plus, be sure to grab a snack and some Lerner & Rowe swag, as well as participate in fun activities while you’re there! 750 backpacks and giveaways are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive a backpack.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Las Vegas Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette with Lerner and Rowe at (702) 877-1500.
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July 17, 2026— Glendale, AZ | Desert Diamond Arena (9400 West Maryland Avenue, Glendale, Arizona 85305 ) | 4:00 p.m. until supplies last
| Parking and Entry Tips: Please wait in your vehicle until the event starts and be mindful of others when entering and exiting the parking lot.
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Glendale Back to School Event Highlights
Get ready to kick off the new school year with Lerner & Rowe at our free, indoor Glendale Back-to-School Giveaway! Hosted at Desert Diamond Arena, this family-friendly event will provide 1,000 free backpacks stuffed with essential school supplies to help local students start the year strong. While you’re there, you can beat the heat with complimentary ice cream, pick up some Lerner & Rowe swag, and enjoy entertainment from face painters and balloon artists. Backpacks are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and students must be present to receive one.
NEW FOR 2026: We’re giving away FREE tennis shoes to the first 500 kids in line!
Just like the backpacks and other giveaways, shoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. We encourage families to arrive early, as only the first 550 kids in line will receive a free pair.
For more information about Lerner and Rowe’s FREE Glendale Backpack Giveaway, please contact Cindy Ernst or Christa Luirette at (602) 977-1900.
2019 Albuquerque Back to School – Backpack Giveaway
Vanessa Soto and Harlan Schillinger from our Lerner and Rowe Gives Back Team visited today with Officer Carressa Northcross of Chicago Area Policing (CAPs) to finalize plans and sponsor CAPs 22nd District Back to School Health & Safety Fair.
It’s almost time for the kids to head back to the classroom to hit the books. This can be a stressful time with mixed feelings from both parents and their children.