Support Our Back to School Program

Help kids be ready for the first day of school.

We are grateful for the way our community comes together to make sure kids from 4K to college have what they need to start school ready to learn. Each year, our Back to School program provides backpacks and supplies to more than 600 students. This effort would not happen without financial support and donations from individuals, organizations, and businesses and the work of our many volunteers!

We’re accepting donations of NEW school supplies from June 1-August 14, 2025 at the WayForward Distribution Center, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Backpacks – heavy duty with supportive straps, 32 liters or larger
• Dry erase markers
• Crayola thin or wide markers – 10-pack
• No. 2 pencils
• Pens (blue and black)
• Highlighters
• Composition notebooks – wide ruled
• Spiral notebooks – wide and college ruled in assorted colors
• 1-inch binders and binder dividers
• Poly pocket folders without prongs – assorted colors
• Earbuds or headphones
• Loose leaf paper – wide and college ruled
• Graph paper – loose leaf and notebooks
• Crayola colored pencils – 12 pencil pack
• Post-it notes – 3×3
• Ruled index cards – 3×5
• Sharpies (black) – ultra-fine and fine
• Pencil pouches and boxes
• Glue sticks

Buying Guide
See flyer with school supply list and backpack buying guide.

Purchase items easily online from our Amazon Wishlist.

Donate funds to buy supplies and nutritious food to fuel students.

Want to organize a drive to collect NEW school supplies or get more information? Contact Jill Bradshaw, Community Engagement Manager, jill@wayforwardresources.org or (608) 836-2751.