Children gather around a table to use school supplies.
Students work with scissors and glue at Christa McAuliffe Academy. As demand for school supplies peaks, Wichita-area parents can find free resources to equip their kids for the new school year. Credit: (Niko Schmidt/The Beacon)

Above all else, Zinab Chahine said, remember to stock up on school supplies early. 

Chahine came with her first-grade daughter to Earhart Environmental Magnet School on Tuesday for in-person enrollment ahead of Wichita Public Schools’ first day of class, Aug. 14.

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“Last year we were late to buy them, and that really bit us in the butt,” she said, “because stores were really sold out of everything — so, get your supplies early, don’t wait to buy them.” 

Chahine said she sees this as part of her routine each fall as a Wichita Public Schools parent. 

She said she never wants to cause a teacher to spend their own money to ensure her kid has a pencil or notebook.

Find out what your kid needs

Target, Walmart and other retailers usually have supply lists for local schools. Wichita, Goddard, Derby, Andover and Maize districts all publish complete lists of school supplies. 

Wichita on the Cheap tracks prices for school supplies and highlights the best deals for lunch boxes, calculators and other items.

Where to get help with school supplies

Hope Wichita plans a school supply giveaway at 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Newton Chisholm Trail Center, 601 S.E. 36th St. in Newton. No income verification is required. 

Rock of Christ Church will hold a school supply giveaway at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, at its new location, 1406 W. 18th St. in Wichita. Parents can pick up what they need for free.

Assistance League of Wichita partners throughout August with Wichita Public Schools social workers to provide clothes, backpacks and other items to students in need. Eligible students will be given a date and time to receive their items.

Patterson Legal Group will give away backpacks and school supplies starting at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at Sedgwick County Park, 6501 W. 21st St. North in Wichita. Children must be with an adult to collect a backpack. For info, email givesback@pattersonlegalgroup.com. 

MARCUS CLEM is the former education reporter at The Beacon in Wichita. He is a veteran newspaper and television journalist. He is a two-year member of the Education Writers Association.