An adult hands a child a backpack

Each year, the YMCA of Central Kentucky, in partnership with sponsors and community partners, hosts the annual neighborhood Back to School Rallies.

The rallies provide elementary, middle, and high school students with free, full-size backpacks and school supplies. Each site distributes supplies for all grade levels. The Back to School Rallies is an initiative of the Y, which has served as the central coordinator of this event since 2011. Since that time, more than 52,000 backpacks have been given out to children in Central Kentucky communities.

This year's event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026 from 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

If you are interested in directly supporting this community initiative with a financial donation, please make an online donation. It only costs $20 to supply a single child with a backpack and supplies.

Thanks to Setzer Properties, Commonwealth Credit Union and Baumann Paper for sponsoring this event!


 

LOCATIONS

Caroline Memorial YMCA Program Center
220 East Maple Street
Nicholasville, KY 40356

Coolavin Park/FoodChain
2 - 3 p.m.
550 West 6th Street
Lexington, KY 40508

Douglass Park
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
726 Georgetown Street
Lexington, KY 40508

Shiloh Baptist Church
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
237 E. Fifth Street
Lexington, KY 40508

Tates Creek Community Center
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
3460 Campus Way
Lexington, KY 40517

Valley Park
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
2077 Cambridge Drive
Lexington, KY 40504