Back-to-school donations and distributions
Every year, The Salvation Army coordinates back-to-school donations and distributions for families in need of a helping hand.
From collecting supplies from donors like you to partnering with businesses for drives and relying on volunteers to stuff backpacks, The Salvation Army’s supporters make these events possible. Together, we will be sure as many children as possible are ready for the new school year. Join us!
Donate Supplies
Some commonly needed items include backpacks, pencils, erasers, pencil pouches, pens, colored pencils, highlighters, rulers, scissors, glue sticks, folders, notebooks, crayons, and markers. You can drop donations off at any Salvation Army Worship and Service Center in the Twin Cities, Greater Minnesota or North Dakota.
Shopko is also a school supply drop-off location for The Salvation Army through Friday, Aug. 12. Find a Shopko store near you.
Give Financially
Back-to-school time means a long list of new supplies. Yet, many families have a hard time affording food. You can donate online to help provide back-to-school necessities for a local child.
Get Back-to-School Help
If you in need school supplies and backpacks for your kids, call your local Salvation Army to preregister. Most locations require a photo ID, a piece of mail that verifies your address, and some form of identification for each child (medical card, school ID, social security card).
The following locations have planned back-to-school events.
Twin Cities
- Brooklyn Park: Saturday, Aug. 13 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., 10011 Noble Parkway
- Minneapolis: Monday, Aug. 15, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., 1604 E. Lake St. School supplies and backpacks available for kids in kindergarten through 12th grade, while supplies last.
- Minneapolis: Tuesday, Aug. 9, 8:30 a.m. – supplies run out, 2024 Lyndale Ave. N.
- St. Paul: Wednesday, Aug. 31, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Bruce Vento Elementary School, 409 Case Ave. This community event will connect parents with other resources, as well.
Outstate Minnesota
- Brainerd: Thursday, Aug. 19 (registration) and Friday, Aug. 20 (distribution), 208 S. Fifth St.
- Fairmont: Monday, Aug. 22 to Friday, Sept. 2 (registration), 114 E. Blue Earth Ave.
- Hibbing: Thursday, Aug. 4 to Friday, Aug. 5, 1 – 3 p.m. (registration) and Friday, Aug. 26, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (distribution), 107 W. Howard St.
- Virginia: Monday, July 25 to Friday, Aug. 12, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. (registration) and Thursday, Aug. 18 (distribution), 507 12th Ave. W.
North Dakota
- Grand Forks: Thursday, July 28 and Friday, July 29, 1 – 3 p.m. (registration) and Wednesday, Aug. 24, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (distribution), 1600 University Ave.
- Minot: Monday, July 25 to Friday, Aug. 5 (registration) and Tuesday, Aug. 23 (distribution), 315 Western Ave.
- Williston: Saturday, Aug. 13 (distribution), 15 Main St.