Best Back-To-School Giveaways in Winston-Salem, NC: 2026 Local Guide
Winston-Salem families can stretch school budgets with 325 donated backpacks, teacher supply help and a ticket trade.
The verified 2026 back-to-school giveaways in Winston-Salem center on 325 filled backpacks for local students and ongoing classroom supply help. Families also saved through a teacher-only supply store and a supply-drive ticket trade. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools started the 2026-2027 year on August 10, 2026.
That timing matters because most backpack events run in July and August on a first-come, while-supplies-last basis.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on October 23, 2026.
325 Filled Backpacks Through Schools and YMCA
Daggett Shuler law firm partnered with the Winston-Salem Police Department for its 12th Annual Back-to-School Backpack Program in 2026. The program gave 325 local students new backpacks filled with essential supplies, according to the firm's 2026 program announcement from Daggett Shuler Law. Distribution focused on highest-need families identified by schools.
The plan sent 250 backpacks to students at five Winston-Salem/Forsyth County elementary schools and 75 more through the William G. White Jr. YMCA Bright Beginnings Program, according to the program details from Daggett Shuler Law.
Year-Round Classroom Help Through the Educator Warehouse
The Educator Warehouse is a free store for classroom teachers, not a walk-in family giveaway. It operates year-round in pods behind Diggs-Latham Elementary School. WS/FCS classroom teachers can shop donated pencils, paper, crayons, sanitizer and wipes for students who cannot afford them.
Eligible teachers must register online before shopping, according to the Teacher Registration FAQs from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
Trade School Supplies for a Tennis Grounds Pass
Tennis fans could turn a donation into admission. The Winston-Salem Open offered one free opening-day grounds pass in exchange for five school-supply items donated to the WS/FCS Educator Warehouse. The same event page also encouraged food-bank donations.
The limit was clear beside the benefit: bring five qualifying items to earn one pass, according to the tournament Special Events page from the Winston-Salem Open.
What Families Should Check for Lists, Buses and Meals
The district directed families to one start-of-year hub to confirm bus stops, review school supply lists and apply for free or reduced-price lunch. Using that hub first prevents buying the wrong supplies or missing meal help, according to the district What Is New page from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. For next July and August, practical steps are:
- Check the WS/FCS hub for your school supply list and meal application
- Ask your child's teacher about Educator Warehouse supplies
- Watch law-firm, YMCA and tournament drives early, arrive with your child and expect supplies to run out fast