14 ways to score free supplies before your kids head back to school

FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2015 file photo, children hold hands as they walk with their new book bags. They received the free bags as part of an annual back to school event also offering free health screenings, and free food distribution. The lazy days of summer are ending for millions of children as they grab their backpacks, pencils and notebooks and return to the classroom for a new school year. No more staying up late during the week. Farewell to sleeping in. And, hello homework! (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

Credit: Lynne Sladky

Credit: Lynne Sladky

FILE - In this Aug. 15, 2015 file photo, children hold hands as they walk with their new book bags. They received the free bags as part of an annual back to school event also offering free health screenings, and free food distribution. The lazy days of summer are ending for millions of children as they grab their backpacks, pencils and notebooks and return to the classroom for a new school year. No more staying up late during the week. Farewell to sleeping in. And, hello homework! (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

Let's face it parents, buying all those school supplies for your kids can really add up, especially if you're already having trouble making ends meet.

Luckily, organizations around the Atlanta area understand how expensive it can be to make sure your little ones have everything they need.

They've put together special back-to-school events offering free backpacks, school supplies, health screenings, haircuts and more so that your children can start their school year off right.

If you're still figuring out how to get all the things on your child’s school supplies list, make sure to stop by one of the back-to-school events −which are full of freebies− taking place in metro Atlanta:

DeKalb

Let's Move! DeKalb Expo. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 29. Free. Exchange Multipurpose Center. 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur. 678-819-3663. www.choicesforkids.org.

Help your family learn how to lead a more healthy lifestyle while gearing up for school at the Let's Move! DeKalb Expo. Along with passing out over 750 free backpacks filled with school supplies to children, visitors will also take part in fitness activities, see cooking demonstrations and look at nutrition exhibits.

Back to School Block Party. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 29. Free. GELC of Atlanta. 6330 Lawrenceville Highway, Unit A-11, Tucker. 914-479-2140. www.eternallight.org.

Join GELC for their annual Back to School Book Bag Giveaway. Children will receive a filled book bag will all the supplies they will need for school.

2017 Back to School Back to Work Expo. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. Free. Antioch AME Church. 765 South Hairston Road, Stone Mountain. 404-299-3388. www.eventbrite.com.

Helping both school children and their parents, the 2017 Back to School Back to Work Expo provides services for the whole community with resume writing and interviewing workshops, giveaways, a career fair, raffles and the first 100 people will receive free supplies for school.

Grace and Mercy Back to School Bash. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Free. Salem Park. 5280 Salem Road, Lithonia. www.events.accessatlanta.com

Don't miss the Grace and Mercy Back to School Bash in Lithonia, which will include free backpacks filled with school supplies, free haircuts and hairstyles for both boys and girls, uniforms for all the kids in a chosen household, a bouncie house, live music and more.

Back-2-School Jamboree. Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6. Free. Midway Recreation Center. 3181 Midway Road, Decatur. 404-294-3150. www.dekalbcountyga.gov.

The Back-2-School Jamboree returns with free, supply-filled book bags, 100 free uniforms for students, live entertainment, food and giveaways.

Fulton

ReNew Atlanta Back to School Festival. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 22. Free. Capital Gateway Apartments. 89 Woodward Ave. Atlanta. 404-549-3823. www.renewatlanta.org.

Each registered student at the ReNew Atlanta Back to School Festival will receive a filled backpack, free health screenings, free haircuts and hair styling, dental screening and care pack, games, food and more.

Columbia Residential 3rd Annual Back to School Bash. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 22. Free. Carver High School. 55 McDonough Blvd. SE, Atlanta. 404-874-5000. www.columbiares.com.

This free community event will provide backpacks filled with school supplies to over 1200 students, but registration is required in order to take part.

Back to School and Health Fair. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 22. Free. West End Church of Christ. 1303 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., Atlanta. Contactwww.thewestender.com.

The Back to School and Health Fair takes place at West End Church of Christ and will supply pre-K through college-age students with supply-filled backpacks, gently-used uniforms and books, free haircuts, health and wellness education and a mini festival.

ROLLING MEADOWS, IL - JULY 26: Crayola markers are seen in the back-to-school section in a Wal-Mart store July 28, 2003 in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Wal-Mart said that sales in the month of July at its U.S. stores that were open at least one year could top expectations. Warm weather has helped turnaround slower retail sales following the cooler weather of May and June. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

Credit: Tim Boyle

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Credit: Tim Boyle

Walmart Vision Center Back to School Health Fair. Noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 22. Free. Walmart Supercenter. 1801 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta. 404-587-3504. www.americankineticsllc.com.

Join American Kinetics for the 9th Annual Walmart Vision Center Back to School Health Fair. Fulton County students and their families will have access to free school supplies, health screenings and giveaways.

Flexx Old Skool Back 2 School Extravaganza. Noon to 3 p.m. Friday, July 28. Free. Kingdom of God Evangelistic. 4590 Welcome All Road, Atlanta. www.flexxcars.com.

At this fun back-to-school event, adults are encouraged to dress up like it's 1975 while attending students receive school supplies. Everyone can take part in activities and games, enjoy live music and shop from vendors onsite.

Back to School Bash. 10 a.m. Saturday, July 29. Free. Divine Unity3385 Harrison Road, East Point. 404-766-4272.www.divineunitymbc.org

Divine Unity in East Point will celebrate the 1st Annual Back to School Bash with free school supplies for kids, live entertainment, giveaways, food and more.

MetroPCS Back-to-School Meet 'n Greet. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Free. Cascade Heights MetroPCS. 2296 Cascade Road, Atlanta. 404 500-3371.www.metropcs.com.

Join the Cascade Heights MetroPCS team for a Back-to-School Meet 'n Greet, featuring a live DJ and gaming station, as well as free backpack and school supply giveaways.

Contagious Back 2 School Giveaway. 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. Free. Magnificent Inc. 4485 Fulton Industrial Blvd. Suite B, Atlanta. www.eventbrite.com.

Stock up on your child's school supplies by attending the Contagious Back 2 School Giveaway, hosted by Magnificent Inc. in Atlanta.

Gwinnett

Youth of Gwinnett's Back 2 School Bash. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 29. Free. Berkmar High School. 405 Pleasant Hill Road, Lilburn. yogwinnett@gmail.com.www.yogwinnett.org.

Join Youth of Gwinnett for the 1st Annual Back 2 School Bash, which will include free school supplies, giveaways, live entertainment, vendors and more.