The Children in Our Local Communities Need Us
Each year, the Gateway Region YMCA supplies backpacks full of school supplies for children across the Gateway Region, helping them start the school year prepared, confident, and ready to learn.
Together, we can fill backpacks with more than supplies—we can fill them with hope for a brighter future.
Ways to Support the Back to School Drive:
Select a YMCA Amazon Wish List below, that's full of supplies needed for that Y's school district(s).
Make a monetary donation using the donation form below. Funds raised will be used to purchase packaged school supplies and backpacks that will be distributed to local children in need.
Pick up extra supplies while you're shopping and drop them off at a YMCA. Suggested school supplies can be found below:
- Backpacks
- Binders/Dividers
- Calculators
- Clorox wipes
- Colored pencils
- Crayons (24 box)
- Elmer’s Glue
- Erasers (pink)
- Glue sticks
- Hand sanitizer
- Highlighters
- Index cards
- Ink pens
- Tissues
- Mechanical pencils
- Notebook paper
- Pencil sharpeners
- Pencils (#2)
- Pocket folders
- Rulers (12 in)
- Scissors (safety tip)
- Spiral notebooks
Learn More About Our Y's Impact
Since we first opened our doors in 1853, our Y has focused on supporting the bi-state region through programs both inside our buildings and outside our walls aimed at delivering our mission while responding to the changing times. Together, with our community partners, members, volunteers, donors, and staff, we continue to work to deliver the promise of strengthening community.