07/13/2026
Instead of a million backpack drives, PLEASE ask, “What daily barrier can we remove before a child even sits down to learn?❤️”
Here is a list of ideas I want you to PLEASE CONSIDER providing INSTEAD OF blindly donating to a back to school drive:
1. Laundry Support Kits - Detergent pods, dryer sheets, stain remover, fabric softener
2. Hygiene Restock Bags - Deodorant, lotion, body wash, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, menstrual products
3. Black Hair Care Kits Bonnets(not to wear to school or in public😳), durags, wide-tooth combs, edge brushes, hair gel, edge control, hair oil, beads, barrettes,
4. Clothing Boost kits -New socks, underwear, belts, leggings, plain shirts, sweatpants, sweatshirts & hoodies
5. Attendance Barrier Kits- Alarm clocks, ponchos, umbrellas, gloves, hats, hand warmers, scarves
6. Teacher Emergency kits -Granola bars, crackers, wet wipes, tissues, Band-Aids, lotion, pencils (and give these to the TEACHERS in your community). Check and make sure the snack meets the school allergen regulations first.
7. Family Help Stations -Help families complete school forms, portal setups, transportation forms, meal forms. Consider setting up computer stations at your “back to school”events to help parents set up their access to the learning system their child’s school uses—Canvas, Schoology, Google Classroom. Help moms and dads create/set up email accounts so parents can gain access to valuable email updates. Every school has a school supply list; oftentimes, you can find them online or already printed at area stores and libraries. CHECK THESE LIST FIRST and provide those specific items. 🛑 STOP buying a bunch of protractors and 3x5 cards because that’s what YOU used way back when you were in school…Check and see what the school wants. Don’t just buy what you think they are still using… I assure you, they may no longer want spiral notebooks but usb-c charger cords and headphones. The point is, CHECK FIRST.
8. First-Week Snack Packs -Breakfast bars, crackers, fruit snacks, applesauce pouches, bottled water. CHECK with the teacher first to make sure snacks are allowed and there are no food allergies.
9. The “New School” starter kits -Stress balls or fidgets, journals, crayons, 2-3 pair of headphones.
10. Encouragement Cards -Handwritten notes for students, teachers, bus drivers, secretaries, school nurses, cafeteria workers, custodians, counselors, and administrators. A kind word can go a long way.
(I totally stole this post, but it was too good not to “borrow” and share🤪)
