Back to School
BE THE REASON A STUDENT STARTS STRONG
Give supplies. Give confidence.
Give every child the tools they need to succeed.
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 This Matters
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.
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.
Donate by August 7, 2026
Make your financial gift, shop the Amazon Wishlist or drop off new school supplies by Friday, August 7, 2026, to help local students start school ready.
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).
Community Initiatives & Programs
Help students start the school year prepared and confident by donating new 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
Volunteer for a School Beautification Project
Help create welcoming, inspiring spaces where students can thrive.Join United Way Hands On and volunteer at a local school before the first day of class. Projects may include painting, organizing classrooms, landscaping, cleaning and other improvements identified by school leaders.
Whether you’re volunteering as an individual, family, community group or corporate team, your time and effort help students walk into a school environment that feels safe, welcoming and ready for learning.
Find a Back-to-School Beautification Project and register to volunteer at our online volunteer center, My Way | Volunteer.
Thank you to our Back-to-School Sponsors!
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
Help create a safe, welcoming and inspiring learning environment for local students and educators.
- Supports the equipment and materials needed for school cleanup and beautification projects, including interior and exterior improvements requested by the school.
- Corporate recognition in event-related media and promotional materials.
- Priority access for company volunteers to participate in the school beautification event.
- Opportunity to demonstrate community leadership through hands-on impact.
Backpack Drive Sponsorship $2,500
Help provide fully packed backpacks and essential school supplies to students through local schools and partner agencies.
- Helps supply backpacks and school essentials for an entire grade level, school or agency.
- Corporate recognition in event-related media and promotional materials.
- Branding opportunities on backpacks, materials and event communications where applicable.
- Priority volunteer opportunities for backpack packing events.
- Opportunity to participate in backpack distribution events with students and families.
For questions or further information about Back-to-School sponsorship, contact Rachael Upton at [email protected].
Sponsor
Inspire students, elevate your brand and make a visible impact this school year.
Be the Reason a Student Starts Strong
Every backpack, every classroom kit, every school supply and every volunteer hour helps a student walk into school prepared, confident and ready to learn.
*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.
See the Impact in Action
When our community comes together, students start the school year prepared, confident and ready to learn.
From backpack drives and school beautification projects to classroom supplies and volunteer service, every contribution helps create opportunities for local students to succeed.
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