2024 United Way School Supply Drive

The 2024 School Supply Drive Has Ended

We thank our community for the incredible support of this year's School Supply Drive. Because of our community partners, volunteers, and donors, 2,520 students will return to school with the necessary supplies to compete and win in the classroom. Our collective efforts bring us closer to achieving our Bold Community Goal:

By 2035, ALL Asheville City and Buncombe County students graduate from high school
ready and fully prepared to pursue their goals and dreams.

Thank you for all you do in support of our community.

Presenting Sponsor

AAA

Make your donation to the 2024 School Supply Drive
by following the prompts in the form below. Thank you!

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County’s (UWABC) annual School Supply Drive is now underway — June 24-July 19! Sponsored by our partners at Aeroflow Health and Arby's, the School Supply Drive is one of our most recognized engagement experiences and provides our community with an opportunity to support students and families as they head back to school.

Because of the generous support from donors, volunteers, and community partners that work directly with youth, last year we were able to send 2,332 students back to school with a fully stocked backpack.

Let’s do it again! We invite you to explore the many ways you can participate in this year’s drive by reviewing the information below.

Support Students And Families

There are three simple ways you can support local students to ensure they're prepared to enter the classroom in August.

Shop Online! Purchase supplies or a fully stocked backpack at Roonga for less than $32.
Make a donation and we'll shop for you:
- Donate online (follow the prompts in the form below)
  - If making your donation from a mobile phone click HERE
- Mail your check to:
  - United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
    50 S. French Broad Avenue Ste. 100
    Asheville, NC 28801
    *Please write 2024 School Supply Drive in the memo.
- Call our office with your credit card information, 828.239.1153
Host your own virtual drive by creating a team on Roonga and encouraging your coworkers, friends, and family to get involved. Follow these simple instructions to get started.

*PLEASE NOTE: To ensure each student receives the same quality supplies, we are not accepting loose supplies.

Questions? Contact Audrey Blackburn.

A special thank you to our Pack-N-Sort Volunteer Lounge Sponsor

AAA

Distribution Partners Supporting Youth Through the School Supply Drive

Distribution Partners

ABCCM Hominy Valley

ACS: Youth in Transition Program

Asheville Housing Authority

Asheville High School

Asheville Middle School

BCS: Migrant Education Program

BCS: Youth in Transition Support for Homeless Students

Big Brothers Big Sisters WNC

Caring for Children

Catholic Charities

Children First / CIS

Christine W. Avery Learning Center

Colaborativa la Milpa: CIMA, Raices

Delta House

Department of Juvenile Justice

Enka Middle School

Erwin Middle School

My Daddy Taught Me That

My Sistah Taught Me That

North Buncombe Middle School

Owen Middle School

Project Lighten Up

Reynolds Middle School

Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church Youth Program

Umoja Health, Wellness, and Justice Collective

Verner Center for Early Learning

YMCA

Youthful Hand

YWCA of Asheville and WNC

Distribution Information: How do I get Supplies?

Fully stocked backpacks, donated through the UWABC annual School Supply Drive, are distributed to elementary, middle, and high school students through distribution partners working directly with youth throughout Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools. If your child is not currently enrolled in one of these partner programs, make sure to check in with your student's school counselor as we are making supplies available at Community Schools and resource centers.

*Please Note: School supplies are NOT kept at the United Way office and are not available for pickup.

Tips for hosting Your Own Drive

5 Tips for Running a Successful School Supply Drive

Spread the Word! Ask neighbors, friends, and family to get involved. Invite your coworkers, faith community, and members of clubs/civic groups to participate with you. Share the link to the Roonga website for them to easily and safely make an online donation to support a local student this school year.
Consider creating your own Team under our main drive on Roonga! By creating your own team, you can personalize your page, set goals, share your excitement for student success, and send out your team's custom link to your drive with friends, family, and colleagues.
Social Media is a Powerful Tool! Share a post with your network about why you're getting involved in this year's School Supply Drive. Make sure you tag us on Facebook @ United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County + use the hashtag #UnitedWayAVLSchoolSupplyDrive
Remind Your Network! Persistence is key! Once or twice a week during the drive, remind your network so they don't forget. Share the Roonga link to Facebook or send out an email or group text and rally your network.
Celebrate Success! Simple, small gestures of thanks go a long way and help us feel connected. consider a handwritten note, a text message of thanks, or an email with a personal touch of gratitude.

THANK YOU!

Thank you in advance for your enthusiasm and support of this year's drive!

About The School Supply Drive

UWABC believes that we can co-create a place where every person has the opportunity to succeed. One of the many ways we do this is by bringing people and partners together through our annual School Supply Drive. Since the drive's inception, United Way's Volunteer Center, Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, has rallied the community to send over 25,000 students back to school with fully stocked backpacks.

Our School Supply Drive intersects multiple points of engagement that involve all sectors of the community:

During the planning phase, we work closely with partners, teachers, and community school coordinators to identify the need and customize the supply lists for each grade level.
During the campaign, we connect with community donors and local businesses who want to contribute financially towards purchasing school supplies.
As the drive comes to a close, we host a three-day Pack and Sort event where volunteers, businesses, and community partners fill backpacks with the needed school supplies. During this time, we also attend public distribution events to spend quality time with partners and experience the joy as students receive their fully stocked backpacks.

We do this to ensure youth have an equal opportunity to obtain the resources they need to win in the classroom. Join us today!