INDIANAPOLIS — It is a busy week for the volunteers at the Indy Hygiene Hub.
Founder Christina Huffines said that is because they are expecting 500 families this weekend at their backpack giveaway.
"About 1,000 to 1,500 kids," Huffines said.
Their giveaway takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Mercy Road Church at 9511 Angola Court in Indianapolis.
"It just changes a kid's life to be to have everything that all the other kids have," Huffines said.
The Indy Hygiene Hub, formerly called the Dotted Line Divas, is a nonprofit that usually gives away hygiene products, which are something SNAP and EBT benefits do not cover.
What makes the group unique is that they turn dollars into large donations using their couponing skills.
"Right now, Target, Meijer and Walmart are the three best stores to shop," Huffines said. "There was crayons that are any anywhere from 25 cents to 50 cents, I bought notebooks for 35 cents, folders for 15 cents."
Because of the demand for school supplies, Indy Hygiene Hub is accepting donations until Friday, July 14.
You can drop off items at their donation bins located at:
Be Well Family Care
12430 N. Clark St.
Carmel, IN 46032
Starbucks
2810 E. 116th St.
Carmel, IN 46033
Starbucks
9305 Michigan Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
Therapy Redefined
300 E. Main St. Suite A
Carmel, IN 46032
You can also donate via their Amazon wish list, which works like a gift registry.
"We can use any and all support supplies at this point. We [can] always use more backpacks and hair stylists. We are in desperate need of hair stylists and barbers," Huffines said.
That is because the giveaway event is going to offer kids free haircuts, too.
While registration is encouraged, it is not required. However, other drives may require registration and a child to be present.
Some of those drives include:
The Drive-Thru Prayer & Backpack Give-a-Way
Saturday, July 15
Noon - 2 p.m.
Martin University parking lot
2186 N. Sherman Drive
Indianapolis, IN
Backpack Giveaway
Friday, July 21
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Abundant Life Church
7606 E. 82nd St.
Indianapolis, IN
Back-2-School Backpack Giveaway
Saturday, July 22
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Indianapolis Urban League
777 Indiana Ave.
Indianapolis, IN
HOPS CARES Community & Backpack Drive Day
Saturday, July 22
1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
2110 W. 38th St.
Indianapolis, IN
18th Annual Catch the Stars Back to School Celebration
Sunday, July 23
Noon - 2 p.m.
Registration ends July 16
Tarkington Park 45 W. 40th St.
Indianapolis, IN
Westminster Neighborhood Services' Ninth Annual Back to School Bash
Saturday, July 29, 2023
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
2325 E. New York St.
Indianapolis, IN
(If you have a school supply giveaway event you'd like 13News to add to this list, email newsdesk@wthr.com.)