United Way Kicks Off 21st Annual School Supply Drive

You can donate until August 1

FARGO, N.D. — Pens and paper might not mean much to you at first glance, for many students in Cass and Clay counties, it makes a huge difference when they start school.

United Way is kicking off its annual school supply drive.

Showing up to the first day of school with the right supplies is not only necessary, but also a confidence booster.

“We know that all of us, when we go to work, that there’s tools we need to be successful, and this is exactly what it means to the students across our community when they have those tools, pens, pencils and notebooks that they need in order to be ready,” Kristi Huber, president/CEO of United Way of Cass-Clay, said.

For the six thousand plus students who got backpacks at last year’s school supply drive and the many more in the past two decades, it’s a huge burden lifted from them.

“I was super happy because I didn’t have to use the money that I saved to get a new backpack or school supplies anymore. And I could put it towards a budget for new shoes I had been saving for a while,” Chris Christel, a supply drive recipient, said.

The backpacks are filled with supplies tailored by grade level.

United Way says nearly three quarters of the students who receive backpacks on the free or reduced lunch program. Half of families have a household income of $35,000 or less.

To pick up supplies on August 10 or 13 at the Fargodome, you have to bring an I.D. or report card for each child.

The deadline to donate is August 1.

For a list of drop off locations, click here.