2023 Back-To-School Drive

Why School Supplies?

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, we strive to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

School supplies ensures that all kids have the same opportunities to start the school year right and has a profound impact on youth and their learning experience. 


With your help, we can ensure that each of our Club members has the supplies they need to be prepared and successful in the school year ahead. Our goal is to collect backpacks and school supplies for 2,500 Club members, ages 5-18 by Tuesday, August 1.


Distributing backpacks and school supplies to our members and their families creates a sense of belonging with our Clubs. BGCC is committed to always provide our youth with the necessary supplies to enhance their learning experience from day one.

Deadline

BGCC's Back-to-School collection deadline is Tuesday, August 1.


There are THREE ways you can support the Back-To-School drive:


  1. Make a Gift: Your financial contribution will allow BGCC to continue to provide essential learning and educational resources to our members through Club programming.
  2. DIY School Supply Kit: Instructions below describe how you can make a DIY School Supply Kit for our Club members in the comfort of your own home or with friends or colleagues.
  3. Donate School Supplies: Go to our Back-To-School Drive Amazon Wish List and select items that you would like to donate and have shipped directly to the Clubs!

DIY School Supply Kit

What You’ll Need

Instructions


  • Review the requested packing list items needed in each gallon-sized plastic bag or backpack
    • Packing List:
      1 New Youth/Teenager Backpack,
      2 College Ruled Spiral Bound Notebooks
      2 Folders
      4 Pencils
      4 Erasers
      4 Pens
      1 Pencil and Sharpener
      1 Pack of Crayola Markers
      1 Ruler
      2 Glue Sticks

      **We are unable to accept used donations.
  • Purchase new school supplies from your preferred store or website
  • Put the school supplies together in either a gallon-sized plastic bag or a new backpack
  • Donate your packs at a scheduled drop-off date, time and location before Tuesday, August 1!

Contact Information

If you or your company would like to participate or schedule a delivery, please send a confirmation email to Emily Steepleton, Corporate & Foundations Coordinator at esteepleton@bgcc.org, or call 319-560-7555. If you have any questions about supply needs or would like to donate in support of the drive, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Thank you for your continued support of Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. Together we are creating brighter futures for Chicago’s youth!