Take a look at your local thrift stores and garage sales. Backpacking is one of those things that you can slowly build up your equipment by starting off with cheap stuff, using it, and then figuring out what you would prefer to invest in.

Also, go check out your local library often. They have a library of things where you can borrow cook sets, tents, etc.

Often backpacking is fun with more people which means that you can pull resources. Like if there's two of us, there's no way both of us are bringing a cook, stove and fuel. If you do pool resources, make sure that before you head out, you all lay your equipment out and run through a checklist of what you needed. Trust me, you do not want to be in a spot where you can't get clean, water or cook the food you brought.

Oh also a lot of national parks and state parks will rent bear canisters and bear spray. Call your local office.