Remember when you were in school how great it was to get new clothes and new supplies to start the school year? You might be shopping for school supplies for your children right now. But did you know, there are millions of kids whose families cannot afford to buy them school supplies? There could be kids in your school or in your community who need school supplies. Your family can help by putting together a FamilyCares Back to School Backpack or collecting school supplies.
Materials Needed
Include as many of the following items on the list as you can. The backpack and supplies should be new.
Elementary K-5
- New backpack
- Notebook
- Pens (2)
- Pencils (3)
- Small sharpener
- Markers or crayons
- Glue sticks
Middle School through High School
- New backpack
- Spiral notebooks
- Pens
- Pencils
- Small sharpener
- Markers or colored pencils
- Folders
- Ruler
- Highlighters
- 3 ring binder with loose paper (Optional)
- Calculator/dictionary (Optional)
Alternate Idea – School Supply Boxes
Instead of backpacks – buy large plastic supply boxes or cover cigar boxes with paper and stickers. Fill with pencils, pens, a sharpener, markers or crayons.
Steps Involved:
- Decide whom you would like to help. See ideas below.
- Assemble the backpacks.
- Label them with a tag noting the appropriate age.
How to identify kids who might need a backpack:
Students in schools who receive free lunch or breakfast are often the kids who need help with a new backpack and school supplies. Some of these children are homeless, some are new immigrants, some are resettled refugees, some are in the foster care system, and some are from poor families. Other families in your own school just might be going through difficult times financially. Contact one of the schools or agencies below and ask if one of their students or clients could use a new backpack or school supplies.
- Your school/ schools in low-income areas: ask the principal, social services/outreach worker or guidance counselor if there are children who could use a new backpack or school supplies – if you give to children in your own school, their names should be kept confidential
- Homeless or domestic violence shelters
- Soup kitchens
- Local social service department
- Foster care agencies or transition homes
Starting the first day of school with a backpack and school supplies enables a student to begin the school year with eagerness and enthusiasm because he or she has the same tools as their classmates. A backpack or a box of school supplies can make a difference for a student in need.
Books
Child, Laura. I am Too absolutely small for school
McCourt, Lisa. Chicken Soup for Little Souls: The Braids Girl
Pak, Soyung. Sumi's First Day of School
Ryan, Pam Munoz. Esperanza Rising
