Jersey Cares | School Supply Drive

Coming June 2025

Each year, thousands of New Jersey children attend their first day of school without basic educational tools such as backpacks, notebooks, and calculators. These under-resourced children struggle to succeed academically. Jersey Cares works with dozens of schools, children's shelters, and community centers with the goal that no children in New Jersey will have to experience a first day of school without these basic necessities. With your help we can bridge the gap between disadvantage and academic success.

Register to Collect

As a collection site you will have the opportunity to provide youth between ages of 7-16 with the chance of academic success. You and your team may sign up to collect school supplies from our list of accepted item below. You may also register as a Public Collection Site if you'd like to accept donations from your local community!

Items NOT ACCEPTED for the School Supply Drive include:

Used pencils
Notebooks with pages torn out
Folders with torn pockets
Miscellaneous office supplies
Used items of any kind
Items not included on our accepted donation list

Items ACCEPTED for the School Supply Drive include:

Backpacks (may be new OR gently used)
NEW 1, 3, and 5 Subject Notebooks
NEW Composition Notebooks
NEW 2-Pocket Folders
NEW Pencil Cases
NEW #2 Pencils
NEW Pencil Sharpeners
NEW Erasers
NEW Pens
NEW Hi-lighters
NEW Crayons, Washable Markers, and Colored Pencils
NEW Book Covers
NEW Calculators
NEW Child Safety Scissors
NEW Glue
NEW Rulers (12")
NEW Headphones
Visa or Amazon Gift Cards

Delivery Address and Instructions:

Please check back when the drive begins in June of 2025.

Swag and Support

Head over to our online store to make a donation of one fully packed backpack to a child in New Jersey and receive a School Supply Drive t-shirt or Jersey Cares backpack as a thank you!

To make a donation and check out other Jersey Cares accessories, please click HERE.

Register to Receive

Coming June 2025

As an agency recipient you may request to receive School Supply supplies. Please be advised that donations cannot be guaranteed and distribution operates on a first-come, first-served basis. We rely heavily on the participation of collection sites, therefore we cannot guarantee the number of backpacks requested will be filled.

**Please be advised that only registered 501c3 organizations, government agencies, or public schools from New Jersey will be considered for donations**

Pick-Up Address and Instructions:

Please check back when the drive begins in June of 2025.