Nearly 2 in 5 K-12 students in the Greater Twin Cities return to school every fall without the supplies they need to participate in their classroom. That's more than 200,000 students who are brilliant, full of potential, and dreaming of futures they deserve to reach. But when a student arrives on the first day without a backpack, a notebook, or a pencil, that potential goes unmet.
No one should have to choose between their child's school supplies and paying a utility bill. But right now, 35% of Minnesotans are facing financial hardship. Many are working one or more jobs, yet can’t keep up with the cost of living. The average American family spends around $858 per child on back-to-school costs. That's an impossible ask for families already stretched thin.
That's where you come in.
This summer, Greater Twin Cities United Way is bringing together thousands of volunteers for Action Day, and you can be part of it without ever leaving your neighborhood. Purchase, assemble, and donate a school supply pack on your own schedule, and help us reach our goal of sending 55,000 students back to school with all the supplies they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
1. Choose your packs
Choose the school supply pack(s) you'd like to donate and decide how many you'd like to assemble. Download the shopping list or expand pack details below.
Elementary School Supply Pack
Place all items in a 2-gallon Ziploc bag:
Middle / High School Supply Pack
Place all items in a 2-gallon Ziploc bag:
2. Sign up to volunteer at home
Sign up to volunteer at home and choose the school supply pack(s) you'd like to donate, how many you'd like to assemble, and where you will drop them off.
3. Shop and assemble your packs
Purchase the listed items and assemble each pack by placing everything into a 2-gallon Ziploc bag. Only complete school supply packs with all items listed in the pack will be accepted.
Want to add a personal touch? Add a homemade encouragement card featuring original art and positive messages to add to your school supply packs! Use a notecard or cardstock and please keep the size less than 5x7.
4. Label each bag accordingly
Label each 2-gallon Ziploc bag accordingly: elementary or middle/high school. This helps Greater Twin Cities United Way, and our nonprofit and school partners get the right supplies to the right students.
5. Drop off your completed school supply packs
Drop off your completed school supply packs at the location you selected during signup.
Collection boxes are set up inside the lobby at convenient Old National Bank locations across the metro, from Tuesday, June 9 – Friday, August 14, 2026, during business hours. Choose a location convenient for you:
Can't make it to an Old National Bank? Select “Schedule a Drop-off at United Way" when you sign up, and the Volunteer United team will coordinate a drop-off at GTCUW's office: 404 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404.
Note: Some locations may be closed on federal holidays including Juneteenth (June 19) and Independence Day (July 4). Check hours before you go.
Once your supply pack is dropped off, Greater Twin Cities United Way gets to work. School supply packs are placed into backpacks and distributed to partner nonprofits and schools across the Twin Cities metro. Every complete pack you assemble becomes part of a backpack that a student will carry with them on their first day.
When nonprofits distribute backpacks to families, they also connect them with other support resources, including food support, housing and utility assistance, and childcare.
School supplies are the foundation of successful learning, belonging, and classroom confidence.
Action Day provides more than just a backpack. Our shared purpose is to support a student’s full potential by meeting their basic school needs. As a result, they have the confidence and support they need to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
Gather your friends, families, coworkers and neighbors and encourage them to assemble packs together. It’s a perfect group activity for all ages and abilities, and has a big impact on the students and families in our community.
