Back-to-School in Springfield: Free & Cheap Resources for 417 Families

Back-to-school season adds up fast — new shoes, supply lists, fees, and haircuts all at once, especially with more than one kid. 💛 In this video, The 417 Mom walks through the free and low-cost help available to Springfield-area families: where free school supplies come from and why asking your child's front office matters, school-based help for essentials like shoes and clothing, the big annual August back-to-school event to put on next year's calendar, free and reduced-price school meals, how to find a local food pantry (dial 211), why a free library card is a year-round money saver, and the one conversation — with your school counselor — that can unlock support you didn't know existed. This video is an original summary in our own words. Read the full guide with all the current names, links, and details on The 417 Mom blog: https://the417mom.blogspot.com/2026/10/bac... Save this for the next school run, and share it with one other 417 mama who is quietly stressing about that supply list. The 417 Mom is your Springfield, Nixa, and Ozark family resource. No affiliate links in this video.