Help provide backpacks and school supplies

ACTION DAY

Presented by Target

Help us celebrate 10 years of leveling the playing field for Twin Cities students! Together, we can help 60,000 students return to school with backpacks full of supplies so they can thrive in the classroom and beyond.

It’s more than providing backpacks and school supplies. It’s about showing our
youngest community members that they can depend on us to meet their needs and help them access the future they dream of.

1 IN 10 STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOL EACH YEAR WITHOUT A BACKPACK & SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Families are resilient and find ways to make ends meet as our economy puts further pressure on them to do more with less. But no one should have to choose between sending their children to school with the supplies they need or providing their family with food and housing.

More than 100,000 students in the Greater Twin Cities return to school without essential school supplies like notebooks, pencils, pens and calculators. We need your help to change that.

Celebrating 10 Years of Action Day

Action Day has grown from distributing 6,000 backpacks in our inaugural year to 60,000 this year — our 10th year — because our community continues to step up when there is a need.

Again this year, Greater Twin Cities United Way is bringing together community members and volunteers to help students return to school with backpacks full of supplies so they can thrive in the classroom and beyond. This year's initiative will include fundraising for school supplies, opportunities to volunteer from home and a day-long event at the Saint Paul RiverCentre hosted by the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, August 7.

Volunteer at Home

Create your own volunteer experience at home with friends, family or neighbors! Purchase, assemble and donate school supply packs filled with markers, scissors, pencils and more.

Donate

Action Day is just one month away, and Huntington Bank has stepped up and increased their match to triple gifts up to $15,000. That means just $12 provides three students with a brand-new backpack full of school supplies.

Make a donation →

Volunteer IN-PERSON

Join the action on Thursday, August 7, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre, hosted by the Minnesota Wild, and volunteer to pack backpacks full of school supplies! This event will fill up fast — register today to secure your volunteer spot.

Already registered to volunteer? Manage your reservation -->

Thank you, Target, presenting sponsor of Action Day 2025!

See All 2025 Partners →