Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham has announced that City of Binghamton families with children in grades Pre-K though 12 will be able to receive a backpack filled with school supplies, completely free of charge.

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Since 2017, the City has orchestrated a free backpack and school supply giveaway, offering more than 3,500 filled backpacks to students in City schools.

The City of Binghamton has teamed up with CARES Advocates For Families Inc. and will distribute 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to students in the City of Binghamton completely free of charge. These backpacks will be available for pick up on a first-come, first serve basis.

In a statement sent to Townsquare Media, Mayor Kraham said,

“Back-to-school shopping puts a significant financial burden on families, and rising costs are forcing more parents to choose between school supplies and other necessities. The City is partnering again with CARES to ease the burden on families and teachers and help make sure every child in Binghamton has the supplies they need to learn and grow.”

If you are a City of Binghamton family with a student in grades Pre-K through 12, backpacks will be distributed Wednesday, August 24 through Friday, August 26. Please note that your student must be with you in order to receive a pre-filled backpack.

Backpacks will be available from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 24, at the following locations:

  • Recreation Park on Laurel Avenue in Binghamton
  • Saratoga Apartments Community Center at 60 Saratoga Avenue in Binghamton
  • Carlisle Hills Apartments Community Center at 150 Moeller Street in Binghamton.

Backpacks will be available from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 25, at the following locations:

  • Lee Barta Community Center at 108 Liberty Street in Binghamton
  • NoMa Community Center at 85 Walnut Street in Binghamton

On Friday, August 26, backpacks will be available from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the following locations:

  • Cheri A. Lindsey Memorial Park on Truesdell Street in Binghamton
  • Webster Street Park on Jackson Street in Binghamton.

Remember that your student must be present to receive a filled backpack and this is a first come, first served free giveaway while supplies last.

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