As preparations for the approaching fall months begin, it’s important to be mindful of ways to give back. In Texas, the rates of children who live in poverty far exceeds the national average, disproportionally affecting Black and Hispanic communities. Austin is a unique and wonderful city and while there are a number of school zones host to families who don’t have the means to supply their own resources, there are also a lot of great donation drives happening right now so that those with the means to help may do so. Whether you’re an empty nester with some viable supplies lying around or just feel compelled to contribute, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to lend a hand.
Generally, good supplies to consider donating would be: durable backpacks, glue, pencils, notebooks, pencil cases, graphing calculators, colored pencils, crayons, loose-leaf paper, rulers, hand sanitizer, ballpoint pens, plastic folders, ring binders
Partnerships for Children
Donate through July 19 at 14000 Summit Dr. Ste. 100 Austin, TX 78728
Partnerships for Children is accepting donations to fill backpacks and provide supplies for kids who are currently in the care of CPS through July 19. High priority donation items include clothing, graphing calculators, and shoe gift cards, but they also have a “wish list” which people can contribute monetarily towards.
African American Youth Harvest Foundation
Donate through August 1 at 6633 Hwy 290 East Austin, TX 78723
Through August 1st, the African American Youth Harvest Foundation is accepting general school supply donations such as backpacks, folders, notebooks, and pencils. Resources will be put towards their back to school community event, where they provide free backpacks full of supplies to children and families in need. Their main location is in Manor, but they have a donation location in Austin off of Highway 290.
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church
Donate through July 19 at 4800 Convict Hill Rd. Austin, TX 78749
Providing supplies and backpacks to children and families who live in Foundation Communities’ affordable housing apartments and families assisted by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church is looking for supply donations through July 19th.
Austin Stone Community Church
Donate Sundays through:
July 19 at 1201 S Capital of Texas Hwy. Austin, TX 78746 (WEST)
July 26 at 1150 E McNeil Rd. Round Rock, TX 78681 (NORTH)
Running across their west and north campuses, Austin Stone Community Church is hosting back-to-school drives with drop-off opportunities during Sunday services. Their west location is focused on dropping off supply-filled backpacks tailored to a specific grade level, and their north location is hosting a book drive for Berkman Elementary School.
Travis County Sheriff's Office
Donate through August 7th at:
5555 Airport Blvd. Austin, TX 78751
3800 Hudson Bend Rd. Austin, TX 78734
From July 14th to August 7th, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office’s Community Outreach Unit is hosting its annual back to school donation drive. They accept drop-offs of any general school supplies all day Monday to Friday to give to local schools.
The SAFE Alliance
Donate through August 31 ONLINE
To ensure kids don’t fall behind at the start of the year, the SAFE alliance is accepting donations through August 31st to be put towards filling backpacks. Every donation will contribute to providing essential supplies for children affected by violence.
Round Rock ISD School Supplies Project
Donate any time ONLINE
Round Rock ISD’s Partners In Education Foundation provides new, district-approved, essential supply kits to children in need. Donations also fund resources and classroom materials for new teachers, supplies to be provided to students throughout the year, and take-home folders for elementary kids.
Austin Creative Reuse Center
Donations by Appointment at 2005 Wheless Ln. Austin, TX 78723
ACR hosts an annual “pay-what-you-can” event for teachers and educators to stock up on supplies and contribute however they have the means to – nothing more. Mostly provided for by monetary and material donations made throughout the year, contributing what spare resources you have is a great way to help both teachers and students. Be sure to check out their list of supplies they don’t accept based on need and available space
Back-to-school season is stressful enough without the worry of being able to afford supplies for your children. At Moreland, we know that every neighborhood and local community, no matter how small, makes Austin what it is. In order to get ready for the coming season of giving, get involved, contribute what you can, and donate If you have the means – taking a little bit of that burden away from families and children in need is a great way to help provide for the city we all love.
