The provided source materials detail a specific community initiative in Omaha, Nebraska, focused on supporting students through school supply donations and backpack distributions. This program, organized by the Salvation Army in partnership with KETV, is the primary freebie initiative identified in the data. Additionally, the sources describe other local events and services that may be of interest to families seeking cost-saving opportunities, though these are not necessarily sample or trial programs in the traditional consumer sense. The following article outlines the verified details of these community efforts, their eligibility requirements, and the logistical processes involved, based exclusively on the information provided in the source documents.
KETV 7 Can Help Kids Back-to-School Backpack Program
The Salvation Army, in collaboration with KETV, is conducting its annual "7 Can Help Kids Back-to-School Backpack Program" through August 3, 2025. This initiative aims to collect new school supplies to support local students in the Omaha metro area. The program is designed to assist 6,500 students, with items distributed by participating nonprofits. Wells Fargo supports the initiative, which encourages residents to donate extra school supplies during their back-to-school shopping.
Eligibility and Participation
Participation in the donation drive is open to the general public in the greater Omaha metro area. No specific eligibility criteria are required for donors; individuals are simply encouraged to purchase and donate new school supplies. For recipients of the backpacks and supplies, the program targets local students, though specific eligibility requirements for receiving items are not detailed in the source materials.
Donation Process and Locations
Donors can drop off supplies at select locations across Omaha. Participating drop-off points include: - Methodist Health System locations - Metro Credit Union locations - Cubby’s locations - Salvation Army locations
A comprehensive list of needed school supplies and the nearest drop-off location is available on the program’s official website, as referenced in the source materials. The collection period runs until August 3, 2025.
Backpack Distribution Event
A key component of the program is the annual Salvation Army Backpack Drive, scheduled for August 9, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (or while supplies last). The event will take place in the NE parking lot of Westroads Mall, located at 10000 California Street, Suite 1221, Omaha, NE. Attendees can receive one backpack per student, subject to availability.
Additionally, backpack distributions are planned for Omaha on August 8 and 9, 2025. In Council Bluffs, distribution requires pre-registration, with registration available through the Charles E. (specific URL or contact details are not provided in the sources).
Related Community Events and Opportunities
While the primary focus of the source materials is the school supply drive, other local events and services are mentioned that may provide value to families, though they do not strictly align with the categories of free samples, promotional offers, or product trials.
SHARE Omaha School Supply Initiative
Running from July 1 to August 15, 2025, SHARE Omaha is partnering with 18 local nonprofits to collect school supplies for 6,500 students. This initiative is separate from the KETV program but similarly aims to support local learners. Donations are distributed through participating nonprofits, and the effort is supported by Wells Fargo.
Back-to-School Events
Several free or low-cost events in Omaha are highlighted in the source materials, though they are not sample programs: - Back to School ISPY Sensory Bin: A free event on August 2, 2025, at The Learning Express in Omaha, featuring a DIY sensory bin activity for all ages. - Chase & Skye’s Back to School Bash: Included with admission at the Omaha Children’s Museum from August 2 to 4, 2025. - Kids Workshop: DIY Whiteboard: A free workshop hosted by Home Depot on August 3, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Omaha Zoo Membership
The Omaha Zoo offers gift memberships, which can be purchased online or in person. Online gift memberships are emailed as a PDF, redeemable at Guest Services for a permanent membership card. Memberships begin on the recipient’s first visit and provide 12 months of benefits. This is not a free sample or trial but a paid membership option.
Limitations of Available Information
The provided source materials focus almost exclusively on the KETV 7 Can Help Kids Back-to-School Backpack Program and related local events. There is no information regarding: - Free samples of consumer products (e.g., beauty, baby care, pet food, health, food, or household goods). - No-cost product trials or promotional offers from brands. - Mail-in sample programs or brand freebies.
The sources do not include details on how to sign up for free samples, eligibility rules for product trials, or any other consumer-oriented freebie programs beyond the school supply drive. As such, the scope of this article is limited to the verified community initiatives in Omaha.
Conclusion
The KETV 7 Can Help Kids Back-to-School Backpack Program, organized by the Salvation Army, is the central freebie initiative described in the source materials. It provides new school supplies and backpacks to local students through a donation drive and distribution events in August 2025. While other community events, such as sensory bin activities and museum bashes, are mentioned, they do not pertain to traditional free samples or promotional offers. The sources lack information on consumer product samples or trials, restricting the article to a summary of school-related community support efforts in Omaha.