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How to Run a Successful School Supplies Drive

Make a difference with school supplies

You Can Hold a School Supply Drive:

  • at your school/college as an individual or group
  • as part of a club activity
  • as part of a school project 
  • in your neighborhood
  • at your job
  • on our birthday
  • with your club or organization
  • just because...

We invite any individual, club, school, or business to hold a school supply drive.   There is no minimum or maximum donation; we are happy to accept your donation and greatly appreciate your efforts to make a difference for African children.  For more general details on donating school supplies, click here 

Please keep in mind, as you are considering coordinating a school supply drive, that part of your drive should include raising funds for shipping.


Follow the steps below to create your successful school supply drive-

 Step 1 - Choose dates and drop-off location(s) Have a large box to collect school supplies.  Children with school supplies

 Step 2 - Fill out our online drive registration form

 Step 3 - Invite all your contacts via email, phone, social media, or in-person to make donations.  Spread the word within your school/community.

Create/print a flyer to post on your social media and to post at local businesses/schools inviting everyone to donate.

  *If you are trying to collect specific items (such as pencils and erasers) make sure you are clear and encourage people to donate money also to help with shipping costs.

 Step 4- Take pictures (send us a few at hello@developafrica.org). We would like to add information and pictures about your group and activity to our website and newsletter.  Advertise and promote the book/school supplies/pencil drive if you would like. Should you have any newspaper coverage or create any posters, we would like to receive a copy. 

 Step 5- Once you collect your supplies, you must create a list of donations…such as approximately 150 new and gently used pencils,  25 notebooks, 10 boxes of crayons, and approximately 50 pens.  Please email hello@developafrica.org with the list of donations and details on shipping (ex: mailed 5 boxes via UPS on 8/17).  Please include a contact name and email (or mailing address) with the list of donation details in each box. 

 **Feel free to email us at any point with any questions or concerns. 

 

Shipping Address / School Supplies Drop Off Location: 

Develop Africa

1906 Knob Creek Road, Suite 3

Johnson City, TN 37604, USA

Phone: 423-282-0006


School Supply List-  https://www.developafrica.org/files/donate-supplies.pdf  (feel free to print or include this attachment when requesting school supply donations)  ** Most needed items are backpacks & notebooks

Students with new school supplies

Information You Need to Note

1.  Your drive/activity will be carried on at your own risk.  As Develop Africa will not be there physically to participate in or monitor the situation, we cannot be held liable for any occurrences.  Please proceed only at your own risk.

2.  We require that all book donations include a donation (suggested $50.00 for each average-size box of books) to help cover the cost of shipping books. 

3. We would be very grateful if you could make a $50 donation per box to cover the cost of shipping your supplies to Africa.  We receive many more supplies than we can ship out. Your donation towards shipping is essential.  Donations towards shipping can be sent in a check, money order, or made online

4. Consider setting up an online fundraising page to help cover shipping costs to our location in Tennessee, USA and to help cover shipping costs to get your school supply donations to Africa.  Don't forget to ask your contacts for donations toward shipping. You could also ask a local business or school to help make a monetary donation for shipping.   “Tips on Online Fundraising” 

Donate now


We love when our donors share photos with us!   Have you collected and donated school supplies recently? 

Did you take photos that we have your permission to share on social media and on the website?     

If yes, please email them to hello@DevelopAfrica.org


 Examples of School Supply Drives-  

Project Sail- http://www.pencilproject.org/project-sail-300-pounds-books-and-school-supplies-collected

Kennedy- http://www.pencilproject.org/kennedy-has-dream-and-sends-10-boxes-school-supplies

The Pencil Project - http://www.pencilproject.org/

 

 

  • Nola and her sister, Fallon,did a school supply collection within their homeroom classes
    Nola and her sister, Fallon,did a school supply collection within their homeroom classes
  • Portneuf Valley Rotaract Club & Interact Club, Century High School Interact Club collected over 5,000 pens and other supplies
    Portneuf Valley Rotaract Club & Interact Club, Century High School Interact Club collected over 5,000 pens and other supplies
  • Siblings, Chloe & Jack, supplies drive at school / neighborhood = 15 boxes
    Siblings, Chloe & Jack, supplies drive at school / neighborhood = 15 boxes
  • Sophia, Long Island, NY, student, collected school supplies
    Sophia, Long Island, NY, student, collected school supplies
  • The Kiwanis K-Kids from Weathersfield Elementary in Thousand Oaks, CA collected and donated 2001 pencils
    The Kiwanis K-Kids from Weathersfield Elementary in Thousand Oaks, CA collected and donated 2001 pencils
  • The University of Hartford and the Women's Advancement Initiative collected 8 boxes of school supplies
    The University of Hartford and the Women's Advancement Initiative collected 8 boxes of school supplies
  • East Islip High School Students, Long Island, New York have done 7 pencil drives - over 7 years. one each year - as part of a social studies Africa Project_outreach activity
    East Islip High School Students, Long Island, New York have done 7 pencil drives - over 7 years. one each year - as part of a social studies Africa Project_outreach activity
  • Aarush & Arul collected school supplies for a school project
    Aarush & Arul collected school supplies for a school project
  • Erase & Write held a school supply drive
    Erase & Write held a school supply drive
  • Douglas held a school supply drive for his Eagle Scout project
    Douglas held a school supply drive for his Eagle Scout project
  • Mission Possible collected school supplies, kindles, and solar lights
    Mission Possible collected school supplies, kindles, and solar lights
  • Thomas collected school supplies instead of presents for his birthday
    Thomas collected school supplies instead of presents for his birthday
  • Zach held a school supply drive for his Eagle Scout Project
    Zach held a school supply drive for his Eagle Scout Project

 

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