As Cumberland County students prepare to return to the classroom Aug. 26, parents can expect to spend more money on back-to-school shopping this year than in any previous year.
If electronic items like calculators, laptops and tablets are needed, parents can expect to spend an average of $874 for school supplies this year, according to the National Retail Federation. That amount is a $15 decrease over last year, but still the second-highest amount surveyed since 2007.
Cumberland County Schools supply lists can be found online at ccs.k12.nc.us/Page/8305.
Walmartand Target each provide a dashboard to shop for school-specific supply lists.
To help offset costs, some local businesses, organizations and nonprofits are providing free school supplies to those who need them.
Here is a list of 18 giveaways happening in the Fayetteville area in the coming weeks.
New Pilgrim Holiness Church of God Back-to-School Bash
New Pilgrim Holiness Church of God hosts a Back-to-School Bash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 1213 Fuller St. in Raeford.
Free school supplies and food will be given away. There will also be music, a gaming truck and a bouncy house.
Christ Worship Center Community Back-2-School Outreach
Christ Worship Center hosts a Community Back-2-School Outreach from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at 4453 Black Ridge Road in Hope Mills.
Free book bags filled with school supplies will be given away, and free haircuts will be available for school-age kids.
Fascinate-U Back-to-School Bash
Fascinate-U Children's Museum hosts a Back-to-School Bash from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, at 116 Green St. in Fayetteville.
With museum admission, attendees can enjoy crafts, science experiments, a comedy magic show and more. Free backpacks stuffed with school supplies will be given to the first 100 school-age children at no extra cost.
NCCU Fayetteville Alumni Back-to-School Social
North Carolina Central University’s Fayetteville Alumni Chapter hosts a Back-to-School Social from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Logan’s Roadhouse, 1490 Skibo Road in Fayetteville.
School supplies will be given away until they last at the indoor event. The alumni group is also asking for college school supply donations.
A&M Youth Cultivation Center Back-to-School Giveaway and Open House
A&M Youth Cultivation Center hosts a Back-to-School Giveaway and Open House from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at 211 Owen Drive in Fayetteville.
Attendees can learn about the center’s Before and After School Academic Enrichment Program, receive school supplies and enjoy a complimentary serving of Wisdom Water Ice.
WCCG Back-2-School Event
WCCG 104.5 hosts a Back-2-School Event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 10 at Simon Temple AME Zion Church, 5760 Yadkin Road in Fayetteville.
Free school supplies, food, vendors and more will be provided.
Living Spirit Ministries Back-to-School Giveaway
Living Spirit Ministries hosts a Back-to-School Giveaway from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 10 at 951 S. McPherson Church Road, Suite 102, in Fayetteville.
School supplies and clothing will be provided to those in need.
Living Water Church Back-2-School Community Event
Living Water Church hosts a Back-2-School Community Event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 10 at Mendoza Park, 1174 Little Road in Spring Lake.
There will be school supplies and book bag giveaways, food trucks, music, games, vendors, a bouncy house, face painting, a prayer booth and more.
Hope Church Back-to-School Bash
Hope Church hosts a Back-to-School Bash from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 10 at Honeycutt Park, 352 Devers St. in Fayetteville.
The public event offers free food, school supplies and a gift for teachers who stop by.
Big Erv’s Back-2-School Bash
Big Erv’s BBQ and 910 Sweets host a Back-2-School Bash from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 10 at The Neighborhood Pit Stop 670 N. Reilly Road in Fayetteville.
Free food and school supplies will be given away.
Back-to-School Bowling
Dragon Lanes on Fort Liberty hosts a Back-to-School bowling event from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 10 at 4-2374 Bastogne Drive.
The first 250 kids ages 5-16 will receive a free meal and game to bowl, and backpacks will be distributed while supplies last.
The cost to bowl is $5 and includes a hot dog, soda, one game and shoe rental for children ages 5-16.
Reclamation Church Back-to-School Blessing
Reclamation Church hosts a Back-to-School Blessing event starting at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 11 at 62 Joint Road in Spring Lake.
Free bookbags with school supplies and food will be given away, while there will be a water slide, foam pit, games and prayer area for students, teachers and school staff.
Prodigal Ministries Back-2-School Bash
Prodigal Ministries hosts a Back-2-School Bash from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 15 at 7345 Clinton Road in Stedman.
Free book bags with school supplies will be provided.
I Love My Community Cookout and Giveaway
L3 Brand Community Alliance and Community Partners holds a cookout and giveaway from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Crown Complex, 1960 Coliseum Drive in Fayetteville.
In addition to backpacks, school supplies, food and hygiene product giveaways, the event features guest speakers, job opportunities and resources, live music, games and performances and a fitness dance class led by Dancing Without Sin.
Cadillac of Fayetteville Back-to-School Festival
Cadillac of Fayetteville hosts at Back-to-School Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 17 at 1637 Skibo Road in Fayetteville.
Free school supplies, games and vendors will be given away, while food trucks will be at the event.
Hoke County Parks and Recreation Back-2-School Bash
Hoke County Parks and Recreation hosts a Back-2-School Bash starting at 10 a.m. Aug. 17 at Elgin Blue Memorial Park, 3195 Red Spring Road in Raeford.
Book bags and school supplies will be given away.
Dominion Christian Academy Back-2-School Bash
Dominion Christian Academy host a Back-2-School Bash from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 18 at 273 Pittman Grove Church Road in Raeford.
Free backpacks and supplies will be given away, while vendors and food will be available.
Red Coat Design Studio Back-to-School Event
Red Coat Design Studio hosts a Back-to-School Event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 24, at 7707 S. Raeford Road, Suite 109.
There will be free backpacks, school supplies, hygiene items, apparel, lunch bags, food and drinks, nail painting by ClawsByVee Nail Academy and free haircuts provided by Cut My City, a nonprofit that offers free haircuts for low-income children, homeless individuals and the elderly.
Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.
