School supplies are one of those costs that arrives all at once, and a backpack filled with the required list can run past what a family budgeted for the month. A number of giveaways across the region are meant to absorb some of that, and most of them are in the next four weeks.

The listings below are drawn from ABC7's roundup of back-to-school events. Events that have already passed are not included. Where the organizer did not publish a venue, we say so rather than guessing.

Orange County

Friday, July 24, 5 to 7 p.m. — Summer Extravaganza and Backpack Giveaway, third annual, at Mondragon Family Market. Backpacks with supplies, games, prizes, community resources and free haircuts, while supplies last. Register through the Wings of Kindness / Alas de Bondad website.

This is the earliest of the remaining events and the only one listed for Orange County.

Los Angeles County

Thursday, July 30, 4 to 7 p.m. — Back to School Resource Fair, Lennox. Supplies, a bike rodeo, art activities and community resources. Preschool through 12th grade. Online registration required.

Saturday, Aug. 1, 3 to 4 p.m. — DIY Back-to-School Pencil Box. A craft session with supplies provided, for ages 5 to 12. Online registration required. The venue was not listed in the roundup; check the organizer's registration page.

Sunday, Aug. 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Dena Community Backpack Giveaway at the Rose Bowl. Backpacks pre-filled with supplies, plus resources. Registration by QR code.

Saturday, Aug. 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Kobe Day Back to School Backpack Giveaway, seventh annual, at Barack Obama Charter School. Backpacks and supplies alongside basketball drills, horseback riding, face painting and manicures. Online registration required.

Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Back-to-School Community Giveback, run by Opportunity Exposed Inc. Free school supplies. Register through Eventbrite. No venue was listed; the Eventbrite page should carry it.

Sunday, Aug. 9, noon to 4 p.m. — Revive Restore Renew at Pasadena City Hall. Backpacks, resources and family activities. Register through Eventbrite.

Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — IBTU Back 2 School, seventh annual, on the Venice Beach boardwalk. The widest offering on this list: backpacks, supplies, diapers, food, health and dental screenings, music, youth performances, games and raffles. Register through Eventbrite.

Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Jade Marlin Foundation giveaway. School supplies, backpacks and face painting. Children must be present to receive a backpack. Register through Eventbrite. Venue not listed.

Inland Empire

Saturday, Aug. 9, 8 a.m. to noon — Family Support Resource Fair and Backpack Giveaway, at 2081 Iowa Ave., Riverside, run by the Riverside County Department of Child Support Services. Backpacks with supplies for ages 3 to 17, plus free haircuts, first come first served while supplies last. Registration through the county's online form.

What the fine print actually means

"First come, first served" means arrive early. At a well-publicized giveaway the line forms before the posted start time, and events that distribute a fixed number of backpacks can be finished well before the end time on the flyer. If a listing says "while supplies last," treat the start time as the real time.

"Child must be present" is enforced. Several of these events will not hand a backpack to a parent arriving alone. If the listing says it, bring the children, and bring all of the children who need supplies, since the limit is typically one per child.

Registering online is usually not the same as reserving. For some events registration holds a backpack; for others it only helps organizers estimate numbers. The confirmation email is the place this is spelled out, so read it rather than assuming.

Bring identification. Not every event asks, but some request ID, proof of residence or proof of a child's age. Carrying it costs nothing and being turned away costs the trip.

A final practical note: several of these organizers are small nonprofits and community groups, and details move. Before driving across the county, check the organizer's own page or Eventbrite listing on the morning of the event.