The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is partnering with Chase to host a free Back-to-School Fair at the Mathews-Dickey Club on August 1, 2026. The event will supply local families with free school backpacks, donated sports equipment from Passback, financial literacy sessions, and on-site after-school program registration.

Image courtesy Boys and Girls Club

ST. LOUIS, MO — As the summer wind-down begins, families in the Bi-State Region are gearing up for the upcoming academic year. To ensure local students return to the classroom with confidence, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is teaming up with Chase to host a massive Back-to-School Fair.

Taking place on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., this free community event aims to ease the financial strain of back-to-school shopping while providing families with vital resources for a healthy, successful year.

Free Backpacks, Sports Gear, and Essential Resources

The highlight of the afternoon will be the free backpack giveaway (available while supplies last) to help children start day one fully prepared. But the support doesn’t stop at school supplies.

Thanks to a partnership with Passback, youth attending the fair will also have the opportunity to choose from a selection of donated sports equipment. This initiative is designed to encourage healthy, active lifestyles and keep kids engaged in physical activities throughout the school year.

What Families Can Do at the Event:

  • Receive Free School Prep: Pick up a complimentary backpack loaded with essential supplies.
  • Get Active with Passback: Select quality, donated sports gear to stay active.
  • Register for After-School Care: Secure a spot in BGCSTL’s highly sought-after after-school programs.
  • Boost Financial Literacy: Attend specialized financial literacy and banking sessions hosted by Chase representatives designed for the whole family.
  • Connect with Community Vendors: Meet with local organizations offering health, wellness, and educational services.

Event Details: When & Where

The Back-to-School Fair is open to the public and will be hosted at the historic Mathews-Dickey Club.

  • Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
  • Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Location: BGCSTL Mathews-Dickey Club4245 N. Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63115

Driving Community Success

The annual return to school can be an incredibly stressful financial period for families. By bringing together corporate partners like Chase, athletic initiatives like Passback, and local grassroots resources, BGCSTL continues its 50-year legacy of being “a safe place to learn and grow” for St. Louis youth.

“The Back-to-School Fair is designed to help youth begin the school year with the resources they need to succeed. Through the support of Chase, Passback, and our incredible community partners, we are able to continue our mission of inspiring and enabling young people—especially those who need us most—to realize their full potential.”

— Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. BGCSTL provides after-school, teen, sports, and summer programs across the Bi-State Region.

The Club serves youth at six key locations: Adams Park Club, Bethalto Club, Hazelwood Elementary School Club, Herbert Hoover Club, Mathews-Dickey Club, and the Teen Center of Excellence, alongside operating Mentor St. Louis and the St. Louis Internship Program.

#BackToSchool, #StLouisCommunity, #ChaseHelps

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David Beckford
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