Want to help students-in-need get their school year off to a great start? Donate new supplies to the ACPS Back-to-School Supply Drive.
Each summer, the ACPS Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Center rallies dozens of local organizations and businesses to collect backpacks and essential school supplies. Last year, over 1,500 supply filled backpacks were delivered to ACPS students representing a rainbow of ethnic, cultural and economic groups from more than 125 different countries, speaking 115 languages and qualifying for free or reduced lunch at a rate of nearly 60 percent.
This year, the goal is even higher. The FACE Center has placed 100 collection bins throughout the region to collect backpacks and supplies for even more Alexandria City students before school starts on September 5.
Your help is needed in order to reach that goal. Here is how:
- When you are out shopping or buying supplies for your own kids, select extra items from this list of needed supplies:
- Backpacks
- Spiral notebooks
- Filler paper
- 3” binders
- Pencils and sharpeners
- Erasers
- Crayons and markers
- Colored pencils
- Highlighters
- Subject dividers
- Pencil pouches
- Scissors and glue
- Tissues
- Ziploc bags
- Drop the items in an ACPS Back-to-School Supply Drive collection bin by Tuesday, August 15. The bins can be found in libraries, banks, hotels, retailers, places of worship, and other sites across the city, in addition to the ACPS Central Office lobby. Find a drop-off location on the map below or view the complete list of sites.
- Receive a FREE ride on DASH when you donate. On Friday, August 11and Monday, August 14, DASHers who donate new, unopened school supplies (i.e. backpacks, notebooks, pencils, etc.) for the ACPS Backpack + School Supply Drive will receive a free ride on DASH (to be used at that time). Just drop your donation in the yellow bag located in the front of the bus.
- Volunteer at the Backpack Stuffing Marathon. On August 16-18, backpack stuffing will take place with the new supplies. Contact FACE at 703-619-8414 to volunteer.
- Spread the word: tell your friends, family, neighbors and colleagues about the supply drive and how they, too, can help.
If you are interested in supporting the ACPS Back to School Supply Drive, or need additional information, please call 703-619-8414 or send an email.