Back2School Supply Drive

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Join us all in July!

The Back 2 School Drive for Douglas County is a collaborative effort between local school districts, non-profits, and community volunteers to meet the school supply needs of students and teachers in our county. This includes public schools in Lawrence (USD497), Eudora (USD491), and Baldwin City (USD348).

The United Way of Kaw Valley, in partnership with the Salvation Army, ECKAN, Eudora Public Schools & Foundation, Baldwin City Public Schools & Education Foundation and Lawrence Public Schools & Foundation invites your participation in the 2026 Douglas County Back2School supply drive from July 1-31!

VOLUNTEER

Volunteers make this county-wide collaboration possible! Check out this year's opportunities on our free volunteer platform at: KawValleyVounteers.org.

Tabling Volunteers Needed – Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25 at both Walmart Locations from 10am-6pm

  • Share information about the importance of the Douglas County Back2School Drive and how people can donate!

Backpack Stuffing Event – August 4 at The Salvation Army from 9am-3pm

  • Help pack backpacks for students assemby-line style!

Have another idea for volunteering? Just send us an email!

COLLECTION

The 2026 Douglas County Back2School Drive has come is gearing up! Community partners and local business will be hosting donation bins for the supply drive for the month of July. We don't yet have a full list of participating locations; check back soon!

United Way of Kaw Valley,  1127 Iowa Street, Lawrence

DONATE SUPPLIES

Here are the things our kids need to start the school year! New items only please. (List is subject to change)

  • Backpacks
  • 2-Pocket Folders (Plastic Preferred)
  • Comp Notebooks (Wide Ruled)
  • Anti-Bacterial Wipes (Clorox Preferred)
  • Headphones (Youth Size) (over-the-ear)
  • Kid Scissors
  • Pencil Boxes (Plastic)
  • Markers (8 or 10 count classic colors)
  • Markers (Dry Erase, Black & Blue Preferred)
  • Tissues (Boxes)
  • Glue Sticks
  • Color Pencils (12-Packs)
  • Highlighters
  • Notebooks, College Ruled
  • Earbuds

DONATE MONEY TO BUY SUPPLIES

This year, you can give directly to the school foundation of your choice to help purchase more supplies! Links to donate to Lawrence, Baldwin and Eudora Schools Foundation are below:

Lawrence Schools    
https://lawrenceschoolsfoundation.org/donation-form/

Eudora Schools    
bit.ly/DonateESF (you can put School Supply Drive in the comment box)

Baldwin City Schools    
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=4SDTFM7TRXHS2  (you can add a note after entering the amount you want to donate)

A Note about how supplies are distributed...

No application is required to get supplies, families just need to contact their school to make sure they are on the list. 

In Lawrence, families can attend the Kids Expo on Saturday, August 8 to receive free school supplies! Supplies will be pe-packed according to the school supply lists for the 2026-2027 school year and students will be able to pick out their own backpack to carry their supplies.  If you're unable to attend the Kids Expo, contact your school district to receive supplies. 

In Baldwin and Eudora, contact your school district to receive school supplies at local distribution locations. .

All supplies will be given to families free of charge.