Help a Child in Five Minutes or Less: Donate Back-to-School Supplies

The “Back-to-School” season is a time filled with enjoying the last days of summer vacation. At the same time, many parents and children are assembling school supplies, coordinating new outfits and preparing for the school year. The additional expenses can be overwhelming, especially for families struggling just to buy groceries and pay rent.

Not every child begins the school year wearing a new outfit and shiny new shoes, or carrying a fresh box of crayons.

How can you help? 
You can join other small businesses that contribute to and volunteer in their communities. There are several organizations across the nation that sponsor local “Back-to-School” supply drives. You can help in less than five minutes and for as little as $5 (or more if you wish!). 

Here are a few examples of how you and your employees can get involved:

1. Sign up to sponsor a child. This Tacoma, Washington-based nonprofit organization coordinates an online sponsorship program. Children are provided with necessary school supplies, a back pack and a complete outfit for the first day of school.
2. Choose to build a backpack. At the Family Giving Tree online site, you can provide necessary school supplies and a backpack for one child.
3. Contribute to a virtual supply drive through Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) online site. Cash donations, for as little as $5, enable NAM to purchase pre-packaged school supplies for school children.
4. Coordinate a supply drive collection bin at your office, store or church and collect supplies like notebooks, glue, crayons and pencils. The donated items can be distributed to under-resourced children through local family support centers.  

You can also check with your local schools for other school supply program sponsorships or volunteer opportunities. Local grocery stores often have pre-packaged supplies you can easily pick up while you’re buying some big red apples.  After you’ve purchased and donated some school supplies, enjoy one of those big red apples and think about the difference you’ve made in the life of a child. 

Additional Resource:  I Love Schools, Inc.

Many parents and children are assembling school supplies, coordinating new outfits and preparing for the school year. The additional expenses can be overwhelming, especially for families struggling just to buy groceries and pay rent.