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Father Joe’s Villages Food Pantry- Every Friday!

Abby H.

If you are closer to downtown San Diego, this food pantry is a great option for you.

Stop by Father Joe’s Food Pantry every Friday for drive-thru or walk-in pickup at 3350 E Street, San Diego, CA 92102 (rear warehouse of St. Vincent de Paul Village).

This Food Pantry is open from 12pm-2pm every Friday.

Helpful Tip: Bring a basket with wheels, a bike with a basket, or a vehicle to help carry your items. 1 visit per household per day. Service is located at the back of the building—look for the warehouse!

For more free food resources in San Diego, check out my food resource page here. 

Back to School Haircuts and Supplies 8/9/2025!

Abby H.

It’s back!

The Larry Himmel Neighborhood Foundation’s biggest event is back!

Saturday, August 9, 2025

9AM -1PM at Skyline Church in La Mesa11330 Campo Road La Mesa, CA 91941

It’s the annual Back-to-School Haircut Event — a day dedicated to supporting local families with free haircuts, school supplies, food, and fun.

Last year’s event was a huge success. Over 1,000 kids attended, and more than 400 walked away with fresh haircuts — ready to start the school year with confidence.

This year, It’s even bigger and better. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Free school supplies for students

  • Free haircuts for kids

  • Free tickets to local attractions — including Padres games

  • Live DJ, games, and kids’ activities

  • Free food for the whole family

This is a first-come, first-served event — so be sure to arrive early and enjoy the festivities while supplies last.

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Free Backpack Giveaway- 8/9/2025

Abby H.

It’s back- 10 years and going strong!

This event is SUPER popular, and supplies run out quickly.

A  backpack and school supply giveaway courtesy of SMOAC on August 9, 2025, at Rio Seco School in Santee, starting at 9AM. It is a drive-thru event. People start lining up as early as 7:30AM, and the line moves FAST!

I’m working on collecting more info on Back to School supply giveaways, and I’ll have another post coming up soon!

Verasight Surveys- Another Trusted Survey Company

Abby H.

Verasight works with private companies, government agencies, and the education sector. They will email you when surveys become available. The surveys are usually quick, and when you take 10 surveys, you can cash out. I’ve been a part of their community for about a year, and I’ve cashed out twice.

To sign up, click here.

And if you are looking for other survey company opportunities, check out my posts here and here.

August and September 2025 Upcoming JCP Kid’s Craft Events!

Abby H.

JCPenney hosts a fun craft event in-store for kids on the second Saturday of each month.  They are easy for kids and a fun, free activity.

While you are there, make sure to join their Rewards Program. There are a lot of great benefits, and it’s free to join. I do a lot of our shopping at JCP. They are very size-inclusive, have great prices/sales, and support diversity in the communities in which they are located.

In-store events are only where local mandates allow.  All kids must be accompanied by an adult. More details, including participating JCP locations, can be found here.

August:

8/9/25 11AM-12PM Decorate a back-to-school pencil pouch. The craft includes a pencil pouch with a zipper pull, markers, and a sticker sheet.

September:

9/13/25 11AM-12PM Make a wooden tic-tac-toe board. The Craft includes a wooden board and pieces with markers.

 

August 5-6 Back-to-School Sale with Teachers Pay Teachers!

Abby H.

Download for your TPT Note to Followers - 1200 × 150

Are you a teacher or a homeschooler? This sale is for you!

Teachers Pay Teachers is having its Back-to-School sale from Tuesday, August 5, at 12:01 a.m. ET through Wednesday, August 6, at 11:59 p.m. ET, where you can save up to 25%!

If you are new to TPT, there are numerous great resources available, and some creators offer free content.

 

8/1/2025 Weekly Freebies and Deals!

Abby H.

Back-to-School is upon us! We’ve got 2 weeks, but that means 2 weeks of shenanigans between all the school prep.

Here are a few ways that we will be having fun and being frugal:

  • The Summer Library Reading Program post can be found here.
  • Fun Free Summer Activities for Tweens and Teens here.
  • The Summer Movie Deals can be found here.
  • Don’t forget about Cheap Stuff to do with Tweens and Teens here.
  • Kids Bowl Free is back for 2025- More info here.

I’ve updated my list of freebies for birthdays in 2025, which you can find here.

For free food resources, please refer to my comprehensive list, available here. It is focused on San Diego County, but additional resources are outside my area.

Let’s get onto the Freebies!!

Freebies:

FREE $35 Purchase at Nike After Cash Back
FREE Up & Up Writing Item, $5 Off HeyDay or $5 Off Brightroom Storage for Target Circle 360 Members
FREE Frozen Drink at Casey’s Every Friday in May thru August
FREE SPAM Norimaki Roll or SPAM Musubi at Kroger
FREE Chocolate Chunk Cookie at Insomnia Cookies
Teachers – Possible FREE Pets in the Classroom Grant
FREE $15 to Spend on Books at Walmart After Cash Back
FREE Passport to Italy Donut at Krispy Kreme
FREE Cheesecake On a Stick at White Castle
FREE Sample of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour HydraPlay 2-in-1 Daily Cleanser
FREE Eau Thermale Jonzac Skincare Sample + FREE Shipping
FREE Café Tango Frozen Coffee Every Tuesday in August
2 FREE 5×7 Photo Prints at Walgreens (App Only)
FREE Full-Size Wuffes Daily Probiotic for Dogs – $39 Value
FREE BtNPN Deep Relief Patches
FREE Patches, Charms & More at Target on August 2nd & 3rd
FREE Sample of Vetality Brush-Free Daily Dental Chews for Dogs

 

Deals

Target has School Backpacks From $5
5-Piece Character Backpacks ONLY $17.99 at JCPenney
Backpacks From $5 at Walmart
Victoria’s Secret Panties 7 For $35
Yankee Candles Buy 2 Get 2 Free: 3-Wick & Large Candles
Save Big on Your Next Move with USPS Mover Coupons
Great Clips Coupons: Get Your Next Haircut for Less with Great Clips Coupons and Promo Codes
Famous Footwear Promo Codes & Coupons: Save Big on Your Favorite Shoes From Nike, Crocs and More!

August 2025: New Healthy Freebies From Social Nature!

Abby H.

 If you are into Organic/Natural/Healthy products, then Social Nature is right up your alley. Sign up and apply to sample products that you are interested in. I usually receive 4-6 offers/freebies per month, sometimes more if I have time to shop. And most of the time it’s full-size products, not just a tiny sample.

In addition to the offers where they mail you a coupon for a free product, Social Nature has started offering 100% cash-back, similar to Ibotta and Fetch Rewards. I love this because I can select exactly what I want, Social Nature tells me which local stores have it, and I can add it to my next shopping list.

And it’s just as easy as Ibotta and Fetch Rewards. Snap a pic and upload it. You can select Venmo, Paypal, or an Amazon Gift Card for your rebate.

Here are just a few of the offers available now:

  • Meatless Breakfast Patties by Nature’s Fynd
  • Gluten-Free Pasta by GOODLES
  • Gorgie Sparkling Energy Drinks
  • PURE Coconut Water by ZICO
  • Deluxe Mac & Cheese by GOODLES
  • Mental Performance Shots by Magic Mind
  • Organic Kombucha by Humm Kombucha
  • Italian Protein Pasta by BRAMI
  • Gluten-Free Cookies by Schär

Upcoming 2025 Upcoming Clothing Swaps

Abby H.

I love clothing swaps- If you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kid’s wardrobes (and my own).

And as always, if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources)  here.

AUGUST 2025

 Thread Bumpin’ Clothing Swap

Saturday, August 2, 2025 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM La Mesita Park 8855 Dallas St · La Mesa, CA

Only the following will be accepted:

  • Clean adult clothes
  • Jewelry
  • Makeup/perfume/beauty goods, accessories
  • Small personal items/decor

All leftover items are distributed to people in need through an NPO.

Crave Community is hosting a clothing swap on August 3rd, from 11am-1pm at San Diego Made Factory 2031 Commercial Street, San Diego, California 92213.

Bring your gently-loved clothes, swap for something new-to-you, and enjoy a welcoming space filled with good vibes and even better company.

More information can be found on their Instagram page here.

Chingona Cambio is hosting their first-ever clothing swap at Chula Vista Bayside Park

999 Bayside Parkway Chula Vista, CA 91910

on August 30th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

More information can be found here.

Tickets may not be available, but according to social media posts by the coordinator of this event, everyone is welcome, regardless of ticketing status.

On 8/16/2025, The Flower Pot is hosting a clothing swap, entry fee is $10. More information here.

 

SEPTEMBER AND BEYOND

In partnership with I Love a Clean San Diego, the San Diego County library branch in La Mesa is hosting a Sustainable Saturday: Clothing Swap on the following dates:

  • Saturday, December 6, 2025 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM La Mesa Branch Library 8074 Allison Avenue La Mesa CA 91942
  • Saturday, September 6, 2025 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM La Mesa Branch Library 8074 Allison Avenue La Mesa CA 91942

Bring one bag of unwanted clothes and accessories (for all ages!) to the library and leave with a fresh, new-to-you wardrobe! Items must be in good condition; no rips, tears, or stains.

I find clothing swaps by joining local area clothing swap groups, both through Facebook and Meetup.

8/5/2025 National Night Out – San Diego County!

Abby H.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 5 at 4pm-8pm

WHERE: multiple locations across San Diego County. For the complete list, click here. 
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office is excited to invite you and your family to join us on Tuesday, August 5, for National Night Out—an annual community-building campaign that promotes strong partnerships between law enforcement, community organizations, and the neighborhoods they proudly serve.
National Night Out is traditionally held on the second Tuesday in August. This year’s events will be packed with fun and activities for all ages! Enjoy food, exciting raffles and giveaways, and a wide range of community resources designed to keep you and your loved ones informed. Many of our events will also feature music, performances, and kid-friendly entertainment.
You’ll also get the opportunity to meet members of the specialized Sheriff’s units up close! From the K9 teams and Bomb/Arson Unit to Search and Rescue (SAR) and more, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the tools and talent that help keep San Diego County safe every day.
Whether you want to ask questions, pick up some swag for the kids, or simply say hello, National Night Out is your chance to connect with the deputies who serve and protect your community.