▢ Source School Supplies

• Search the internet for school supply recommendations; some school systems have complete checklists of supplies to help families stock up. See below for some general recommendations:

• #2 Pencils

• Colored pencils

• Pencil sharpeners

• Erasers

• Pencil case

• Glue sticks

• Crayons

• Washable markers

• Pair of scissors

• Pocket folders

• Tape

• Construction paper

• Wide-ruled notebook

• Highlighter

• Order the supplies from sites online like Staples, Amazon, or Target. 

• Order inexpensive reusable bags (1 per expected schoolchild attendee). 

▢ Source Food & Drink

• Search for a local cafe to order your breakfast supplies. If you’d prefer to have the food delivered to your building, use a site like ezCater to order and schedule a food delivery during your preferred window. 

• Donuts, muffins, and bagels make for easy grab & go breakfast items. 

• Offer coffee for adults and consider OJ juice boxes/bottles for kids. 

▢ Set Up the Event

• Place a long rectangular table in a common area or lobby. Drape the table in a tablecloth, if available. 

• Assemble the school supplies along the table in like piles. Stack the supplies or source a series of baskets to keep the supplies together. 

• Place the reusable bags on one side of the table so kids can first select a reusable bag and then walk down the table adding supplies to their bags. 

• Place a second table nearby for the food & drink station.  

▢ Coordinate School Supply Donations

• Contact your local school district to donate leftover school supplies from your event. 

• If you do not have any nearby schools, reach out to Volunteers for America to contribute to their Operation Backpack drive.  

▢ Cost Estimates

• School Supplies: $150-$300

• Food & Drink: $50-$100