Back-to-School
Help Every Student Start School Ready
The first day of school should feel exciting — not uncertain. But for too many students, it starts without the basic tools they need to learn and thrive.Your gift helps provide school supplies, support classrooms and create welcoming learning environments so students can start the year prepared, confident and ready to succeed.
Why does this matter?
Too many students start the school year without the supplies they need to succeed, and teachers often step in to fill the gap with their own money.
Students start the school year without the supplies they need
of Alabama public school students are economically disadvantaged
of Teachers spend their own money on classroom supplies
Here’s How You Can Help.
Give Financially (Fastest Way to Help)
The fastest and most flexible way to help students and classrooms.
Shop the Amazon Wishlist
Purchase backpacks and essential supplies that will be shipped directly to support local students.
Donate Supplies Locally
Drop off supply donations at locations throughout Central Alabama.
Donation Drop-Off Locations
By county, physical drop-off locations include:
- Blount – Helping Families Initiative (204 2nd Street North, Oneonta, AL 35121).
- Chilton – Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center, Inc (502 Enterprise Road, Clanton, AL 35046).
- Jefferson – United Way of Central Alabama (3620 8th Avenue S, Birmingham, AL 35222).
- Shelby – Montevallo Boys & Girls Club (420 Vine Street, Montevallo, AL 35115).
- St Clair – Pell City Boys & Girls Club (405 19th St S, Pell City, AL 35128).
- Walker – Jasper Civic Center (204 19th St E #100, Jasper, AL 35501).
Most-Needed School Supplies
Based on recurring needs reported by schools across Central Alabama, the items below are consistently among the most requested supplies.
This list will be updated as school-specific requests are finalized.
Student Supplies
- Clear plastic backpacks
- Composition notebooks
- Wide-ruled loose-leaf paper
- 3-prong plastic folders
- Pre-sharpened #2 pencils
- Red pens
- Student scissors
- Crayons
- Colored pencils
- Markers
- Highlighters
- Pencil pouches
- Index cards
Classroom Supplies
- White copy paper
- Cardstock paper
- Dry-erase markers
- Permanent markers
- Binders
- Binder dividers
- Sheet protectors
- Pocket folders
Teacher & Classroom Essentials
- Glue sticks
- Liquid glue
- Paper towels
- Facial tissue
- Hand sanitizer
- Disinfecting wipes
- Baby wipes
- Disinfecting spray
- Quart and gallon storage bags
- Erasers and eraser caps
Become a Back-to-School Sponsor.
Our Back-to-School Sponsorship opportunities offer a variety of ways to make a meaningful impact.
School Beautification Sponsorship $1,500
- Covers the cost of equipment needed for a school cleanup, including exterior and interior work requested by the school.
- Sponsorship includes corporate recognition in all media surrounding the event.
- Sponsor company has first access to volunteering for the school cleanup event itself.
Backpack Drive Sponsorship $2,500
- Covers the cost of fully packed backpacks for an entire grade, school or agency.
- Sponsorship includes corporate recognition in all media surrounding the event and branding that would be included in the backpacks, materials, etc.
- Sponsor has first access to supply volunteers for packing donated backpacks.
- Sponsor has first access to personally distributing the backpacks to the school/organization and the students receiving them.
For questions or further information about Back-to-School sponsorship, contact Rachael Upton at [email protected]
For questions or more information about sponsorship, contact Rachael Upton at [email protected].
Sponsor
Inspire students, elevate your brand and make a visible impact this school year.
Together, let’s equip students for success and brighten their educational journey!
Sources
¹ Kids In Need Foundation, “Our Impact.” www.kinf.org.
² National Education Association, “Out-of-Pocket Spending on School Supplies Adds to Strain on Educators.” www.nea.org.