McDonald’s is giving away free backpacks for back-to-school season
Back-to-school shopping can feel like a boss battle for your wallet. Between notebooks, pencils, folders, and backpacks, the total climbs fast. That’s why McDonald's returning supply giveaway is an absolute lifesaver for families.
On Wednesday, August 5, participating McDonald's restaurants across New York and a handful of locations in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Vermont will hand out free backpacks filled with school supplies through the chain's Golden Arches Pack Giveback Program. But if you're hoping to score one, don't wait until dinner time.
The giveaway runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and the backpacks are available while supplies last. Each child can receive one backpack, but the student has to be there in person. Parents can't simply swing through the drive-thru and grab one on their behalf.
More than just a backpack
The backpacks aren't empty promotional swag. Each one comes stocked with basic school supplies to help students head into the new school year prepared.
Several participating restaurants are also turning the giveaway into a mini community event. At the Spencerport, New York, location, kids can meet Grimace, sign up for a library card, pick up coupons for discounted haircuts, and even climb aboard a school bus to help first-time students get comfortable before the first day of class.
Meanwhile, the East Henrietta Road restaurant in Rochester will offer free signed copies of The Adventures of Zada Jane, written by local McDonald's owner-operator Mari Potter. Staff from Ronald McDonald House will also hand out bookmarks, and children can explore a school bus there as well.
Where can you get a free backpack?
The Golden Arches Pack Giveback is not happening at every McDonald's. So, you'll want to check whether your local restaurant is participating before heading out.
The largest concentration of giveaways is in New York, with participating locations spread across Buffalo and Western New York, Rochester and the Finger Lakes, Syracuse and Central New York, and the Albany/Capital Region. In the Rochester/Finger Lakes area, backpacks will be available at restaurants on Lyell Avenue, East Henrietta Road, East Avenue and Spencerport Road in Rochester, as well as locations in Hilton, Mount Morris, Warsaw, Lyons, LeRoy, Williamson and Spencerport.
The program also extends beyond New York, with participating restaurants in Bradford and Towanda, Pennsylvania, Lee, Massachusetts, and Manchester, Vermont.
If you're unsure whether your nearest McDonald's is taking part, you can check the official list. Since backpacks are handed out on a first-come, first-served basis, arriving early could make all the difference.
Source: AOL
