Free school supplies, backpacks, haircuts and health screenings – save money when heading back to school in Champaign-Urbana
School can be expensive — area organizations and businesses are here to help families with some school year needs
The list gets longer every year. Back-to-school haircuts, growing school supply lists, fees to register kids at school, new shoes and so much more … this might be one of the most expensive times of year to be a parent. Thankfully we have area partners who are coming together to support Champaign-Urbana area families during the back-to-school season.
Thank you to Christie Clinic for presenting our 2023 Champaign-Urbana Area Back to School series
Christie Clinic wants you to give your kids a healthy start to the school year. Parents can currently make back-to-school appointments for their children through their patient portal or by using online scheduling at christieclinic.com.
This summer, the Christie Clinic Department of Pediatrics at Christie Clinic in Champaign on Windsor is offering Saturday physicals. Call your provider for availability and scheduling.
Check out our entire Back to School Series, presented by Christie Clinic:
- Ask the Doctor: Adjusting to Back to School
- Back to School: 8 Things You Didn’t Know You Needed
- Back to School: 9 Tips for Ninth Graders
- Save Money on Back to School in Champaign-Urbana: Free Supplies, Backpacks, Haircuts and Health Screenings
- Champaign-Urbana Area School Registration Information for 2023-24
- Champaign-Urbana Area School Start Dates
- Back to School: Dental, Vision Exams Required for Illinois Students
- School Physicals: What’s Required for Illinois Students in 2023
- Back to School: Immunizations Required for Illinois Students
Need school supplies? Many area organizations and churches conduct collection drives for backpacks and supplies (sometimes distributed together, sometimes separately). Occasionally these are distributed directly to the school, so if you have a hard time finding an event to register for, you may reach out directly to your child’s school and see if they have any provided donations available for this school year.
Note: Chambanamoms.com is not a sponsor of the events listed below. All events have limited supplies or appointments available; please check with the organization or plan to go early to these events. We are not responsible for last-minute changes or updates to back-to-school events and activities listed in this post.
Events providing free school supplies, backpacks, haircuts or health screenings this year
Family Fun Day and Health Resource Fair
When: 07/15/2023, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Public Health Office, 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign
Details: School Physicals Basketball Drills 12-2pm Parent/Child Basketball Game 2-3pm Dental Exams Vision Screenings Unit 4 Back to School Registration Resource tables with giveaways Facepainting Music by DJ Slim Y on the Fly Kids Games Kona Ice 12-1:30pm (compliments of ISCU) Food Trucks More details available on the Champaign Public Health Facebook page.
Back to School Health & Wellness Fair
When: 07/27/2023, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Where: Kirby Medical Center, 1000 Medical Center Drive, Monticello
Details: Head to Kirby Medical Center in Monticello for their annual Back to School Health & Wellness Fair on Thursday, July 27th from 4-6pm. Come enjoy... - Free Kona Ice - Free Back to School Haircuts by Meraki Hair Studio - Inflatables - KMC and Community Vendor Booths - Kirby Ambulance tours - Giveaways and raffles For more information visit their website.
K9 For Kids
When: 08/04/2023, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Where: Dick’s House of Sport, 2000 N Neil St, Champaign
Details: Classrooms are just around the corner – head to Dick’s House of Sport as the community gears up for a PAWSitively stress-free school year! In honor of National Assistance Dog Day, youth of all ages are invited to meet Kirby from the University of Illinois Police Department program, I-PAWS (Providing Assistance With Support), through therapy dogs. The meet & greet comes just in time for back-to-school stress relief! Participants can interact with the K9, learn about their support, snap a Polaroid with the pup, and take home some back-to-school goodies! The event is free to the public!
Back to School Giveaway
When: 08/05/2023, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: Bethany Park Church Clothing Center, 1401 E. Grove, Rantoul
Details: Church Women United will be sponsoring a Back to School Giveaway. This giveaway will include new underwear, socks, shoes, a backpack and school supplies. The event will be taking place August 5 from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Bethany Park Christian Church. For children kindergarten through 8th grade that live in northern Champaign County (Thomasboro and north). Children must come with their parent or guardian. Bring the following to register: Identification Social Security/Medical card/proof of address for everyone in the house. Please call with any questions: 217-893-1530. You must have a new clothing center referral to participate. Please go…read more…
2nd Annual Back to School BBQ
When: 08/05/2023, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Where: Prairie Fields Park, 200 Prairie Rose Lane, Savoy
Details: Head to Prairie Fields Park in Savoy for the 2nd annual Back to School BBQ hosted by the Champaign County Sheriff's Office. This free, family-friendly event will have entertainment, hot dogs & chips, public safety demonstrations, and school supplies for kids who need them to be successful as they start school. They had a blast last year with over 300 community members in attendance. They are excited about what this year will bring! School supplies will be provided on a first come, first served basis and will have a limit of one bookbag with school supplies per K-12 student in…read more…
Festival de Esperanza / Back to School Hope Fest
When: 08/05/2023, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Where: Cultivators Kids Club, 555 S Maplewood Dr, Rantoul
Details: Free school supplies and backpacks, while supplies last.
Back to School Supply Giveaway
When: 08/06/2023, 2:00 pm
Where: Napleton’s Auto Park of Urbana, 1111 O'Brien Drive, Urbana
Details: K-12th Grade School Supply Kit Giveaway Stay in your car Limit of 3 kits per car Children must be present to receive kits 2pm - Until Out Sponsored by Organizations and Individuals within the CU community
Back-to-School Health and Family Fun
When: 08/07/2023, 2:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Where: Promise Healthcare Frances Nelson Clinic, 819 Bloomington Road, Champaign
Details: In celebration of National Health Center Week, Promise Healthcare will be offering Back-to-School Exams on Monday, August 7th from 2:00-7:30 pm at the Frances Nelson Clinic located at 819 Bloomington Road in Champaign. You MUST pre-register by clicking here* or by calling (217) 356-1558. (*If you register online, someone will call you within 3 business days to schedule your appointment.) School Physical Exams Accepting most insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare. A sliding fee scale is available for those who qualify. They will treat anyone regardless of their ability to pay. School Dental Exams Dental assessments only. No treatments. Limited dental appointments…read more…
Back to School Giveaway | Champaign Unit 4 Students
When: 08/08/2023, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Where: Market Place Shopping Center, 2000 N. Neil St, Champaign
Details: Unit 4's Department of Family and Community Engagement is hosting a back to school supply giveaway at MarketPlace Mall on August 8th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Last year 10 partnering community agencies joined to serve close to 1,200 students. This year they will have double the number of partners and hope to serve even more students. Free school supplies for Champaign Unit 4 students, while supplies last. Students must be registered for school.
Free Haircuts and School Supplies
When: 08/13/2023, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Where: Eden Supportive Living, 222 N State Street, Champaign
Details: Champaign Hair Lounge is giving back to the community! Free haircuts and basic styles for girls ages 4-12. Free school supplies will be given out (as supplies last). Hosted by Eden Supportive Living.
Back to School Giveaway
When: 08/13/2023, 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Where: Hays Recreation Center, 1311 W. Church St., Champaign
Details: Precious Gems Academy presents: Back to School Giveaway August 13 3-6pm Hays Center, Champaign Additional Services by: NLCF Youth Department Limited Free Haircuts provided by Lou Styles
Kicks for Kids Shoe Giveaway
When: 08/19/2023, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Where: Next Generation School Parking Lot, 2521 Galen Drive, Champaign
Details: A 7th grade student at Next Generation School has organized a shoe drive. Families in the community can head to Next Generation on Saturday, August 19 from 11am-1pm to pick up FREE lightly used PE shoes for K-8 kids.
Where to donate
Looking for places to donate school supplies or other items related to back to school?
Walmart Champaign, Savoy, Urbana and Rantoul: Walmart stores in Champaign County will host the annual Salvation Army back-to-school Aug. 4-5. More info here.
DREAAM, various locations: DREAAM (Driven to Reach Excellence and Academic Achievement for Males) is collecting 500 pairs of new shoes for kids in grades K-12. Shoes need to be donated by Aug. 5 for distribution. More info here.
Stephens Family YMCA: The Y is collecting backpacks through Aug. 7, with a goal of collecting 250 backpacks for distribution through the Y on the Fly program. Stop in the Y, grab a backpack cutout (located on the pool window) or simply click on the Amazon wish list to have a new backpack sent directly to the Y.
More tips on saving money when heading back to school
Inventory your home
Don’t be afraid to reuse school supplies from previous years. Reusing and recycling isn’t just environmentally friendly but also easier on the pocketbook. Gather up as many “school-approved” supplies around the house you can find and mark things off the list before you even get to the store. As one reader pointed out, “The new crayons are only new until the first time they are used!”
Hit up new shopping spots
Many of us head to the traditional big box stores like Walmart, Target, or Meijer to get our school supply shopping done, but don’t overlook some of the other options in town. Staples, Dollar Tree, CVS Pharmacy, Menards (earn rebates!), and even yard sales can be a great place to find good deals. We’re told by multiple sources The IDEA Store has a great inventory of very affordable school supplies.
Shop online
Shopping online is another good option since it’s easier to compare prices at different locations. Many of the stores, like Target, offer free curbside pick-up. Others swear by buying school supplies on Amazon.
Shop early and spread it out
Shopping early and buying a little bit at a time will help you spread out the cost. Some recommend shopping r-e-a-l-l-y early, as in buy-in-bulk the previous year when items go on ‘clearance’ and then store them for the next year.
However, even if you wait until the last minute, don’t fret. Plenty of parents prefer to wait until school starts to see what their students actually need.
A kindergarten teacher recommends sending in individual supplies for students and then checking with teachers about sending in “communal” items such as tissues and wipes later in the year. (It helps with storage in the classroom as well.)
Keep an eye out for sales
Most stores will be boasting their doorbuster sales so watch for those deals. If you’re willing to go to multiple stores, you can purchase the cheapest deal at each one. Don’t forget to take advantage of in-store coupons such as Mperks at Meijer or use the Target Circle app for extra discounts.
Stick to the list
It can be difficult, especially when you see those nostalgic Trapper Keepers or scented markers, but try to stick to the school list. Those cutesy extras can add up quick and in the end they’re just not necessary. Plus, as one reader (who is also a kindergarten teacher) pointed out, some brands just work better than others and that’s why they ask for them on the list. “I get that you want to buy your kid the sparkly pencils and not the boring yellow number 2s. But when those pencils constantly break and the child needs to sharpen it — (multiply that by) 24 kids and a teacher is fixing supplies and not teaching!”
Shop with a friend and split costs
When your child needs four glue sticks but can only find them in packages of 10, shopping with a friend and splitting the cost can really come in handy. Warehouses like Costco and Sam’s Club are great options for this.
Listen to advice
We asked our Facebook readers for their advice on back-to-school shopping. Here are some of their responses:
“You may want to ask around to see if anyone you know with older kids has leftover supplies they’d give you. For example, kids scissors tend to be outgrown before they wear out.”
“I understand it is hard but teachers don’t specify Crayola to be difficult. Good supplies help us assess your child. Certain crayons color better than others. Certain scissors cut better than others. If a child is struggling we don’t always know if it is their skill or the equipment. That’s why everyone having the same supplies is helpful.”
“I always keep the things that get sent home at the end of the year to use the following year. A new box of crayons is great but once they get used they aren’t new – so no need to waste what you already have!”
“As an elementary teacher I will say that’s it’s better to buy a small amount of high quality supplies than a large amount of poor quality supplies. If you can’t afford the wipes, tissue, sanitizer now then buy some later in the year when the teacher may be getting low.”
Have a free event or a distribution drive going on this summer to prepare for back to school?
We want to know about it! Submit your event here with the details.