Donations needed for Back-to-School supplies
You can help local children succeed by supporting The Salvation Army’s 2026 Back-to-School Drive.
Your generosity is desperately needed, as half of U.S. parents are now cutting back on other household expenses just to afford school supplies.
The best and easiest way to help is by donating online. The Salvation Army will use your gift to purchase school supplies for kids in your community. Just $25 fills a backpack for a local child in need.
You can also donate new backpacks, notebooks, crayons, and other supplies at Salvation Army Worship and Service Centers across Minnesota and North Dakota. The following supplies are in high demand:
- Backpacks for all grade levels
- Headphones/earbuds for school-issued tablets and laptops
- Writing tools such as #2 pencils and black or blue pens
- Paper products such as spiral notebooks, composition books, and loose-leaf paper
- Pocket folders and three-ring binders for organization
Your donations will help people like Yee, a St. Paul resident with four young children. He works in the restaurant industry and sometimes struggles to make ends meet. Last year, he received school supplies at our backpack distribution event at the Eastside Salvation Army in St. Paul (see event photos).
“My kids don’t have backpacks, so this helps a lot,” said Yee, who sometimes comes to the Eastside Salvation Army to receive food for his family. “The Salvation Army is very kind. They take care of the community.”
Thousands of other families are feeling the same financial pressure. With your help, The Salvation Army can offer relief.
“For families already struggling to keep up with the rising cost of everyday necessities, the expense of preparing their children for a new school year can be overwhelming,” said Lt. Col. David Harvey, leader of The Salvation Army Northern Division. “With the help of Salvation Army supporters, we can help relieve that financial pressure and gives children the opportunity to begin the school year prepared to learn.”
Join The Salvation Army’s mission by giving a donation or signing up to volunteer.