The school year is just around the corner. Make sure you and your family are ready to start the school year off right. Many of our partner organizations throughout the state offer free resources and school supplies to families. Check the list below to find a resource near you to help you prepare for the school year!
Adams
Stuff the School Bus / Stuff the Desk – United Way of South Wood & Adams Counties
- Register by: August 1, 2025 to receive supplies for the 2025–2026 school year on their website: https://www.uwswac.org/stuff-the-bus
- Distribution: August 15th & 16th at East Jr. High School (311 Lincoln St., Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494)
- What’s provided: Backpack filled with school supplies
Brown
One Stop School Shop -The Salvation Army of Greater Green Bay + Service League + NEWCAP
- Registration: May 19 – June 27, 2025 (or until full capacity) via Salvation Army site https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/greenbay/help-kids-succeed/
- Distribution Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025 at UWGB Kress Event Center
- What’s included: Backpacks, school supplies, socks & underwear for up to 4,000 kids
Back-to-School Event – The Giving Tree
- Date: August 13, 2025 from 8:30 am–6:30 pm @ 600 Cardinal Ln Green Bay, WI
- Who’s it for: Approved families—contact your child’s school social worker or register directly with The Giving Tree.
- For More information: https://www.hssdschools.org/district/news/news-post/~board/district-news/post/back-to-school-event-to-take-place-august-13-2025/
Back to School Bash – Green Bay First
- Date: August 17 2025 10:00 a.m.
- Offerings: Free backpacks and school supplies—register on-site the day of the event
- For More information: https://greenbayfirst.org/backtoschool/
Calumet
Back-to-School Supplies Distribution – Calumet County Salvation Army
- Distribution Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 9:00 am–12:00 pm
- Location: Bread of Life Assistance Center, 16 W Main St, Chilton
- What’s Provided: Backpacks and all required school supplies (pens, pencils, notebooks, folders, etc.) based on grade level supply lists
- To register: Download and complete the paper application in English or Spanish from the Salvation Army website and drop off at the event.
- For more information: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/calumetcounty/equip-families/
Dane
Gear Up for Success – Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County
- For More information: https://www.bgcdc.org/back2school
Back to School Program – WayForward Resources
- Registration: June 23 – August 4th 2025
- For more Information: https://www.wayforwardresources.org/get-help/seasonal-programs/ or Contact 608-836-7338
10th Annual Back2School Block Party – Theresa Terrace Neighborhood Center
- Date: August 21 from 5-7 p.m.
- Offerings: Free school supplies, free activities, free food and drinks
Stuff the Bus – Sunshine Place
- Offerings: Backpacks and school supplies will be distributed to kids in mid-August. Information about distribution dates and locations will be sent out to families registered for free and reduced lunch through the Sun Prairie Area School District.
- For more information visit: https://sunshineplace.org/services/child-outreach/stuff-the-bus/ or contact charlotte@sunshineplace.org.
Back to School Backpack and School Supply Drive – Goodman Community Center
- For more information: https://www.goodmancenter.org/get-involved/events/backpack-drive
School Supplies – Lussier Community Education Center
- Families can register online or over the phone at 608-833-4979 or can pick up a registration form in the LCEC office at 55 S Gammon Rd Madison, WI 53717 and mail it back, drop it in the outside mailbox, or give it to someone in the office. Families can also email a registration form to FrontDesk@LCECmadison.org
- NOTE: Families will be contacted during the first week of August to confirm whether they will receive supplies
- For more information: https://lcecmadison.org/learn/school-supplies/
Dodge
Backpack Program – The Gathering Source:
- Dates: Registration due August 15
- To register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHKw2lTYuFkUKofsSmyD7end9L6TsWiRUylNJwK3qmdB_FTg/viewform
- For more information: https://thegatheringsource.org/backpack-program/
Fond du Lac
Back to School FDL – Boys and Girls Club of Fond du Lac
- Distribution Dates: August 16 at Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac
- Register by August 5th: https://www.backtoschoolfdl.org/online-registration
- For more information: https://www.backtoschoolfdl.org/
Grant
Back to School Resource Fair – Grant County Partners
- Date: August 25th 4-6 p.m.
- To Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Vcc3qp1MzDA6vfi9qZl6Py30pjhb9Orqb5LrHP1K044/viewform?edit_requested=true&pli=1
- For more information: https://www.facebook.com/SWSDWildcats/photos/grant-co-partners-presents-back-to-school-resource-fair-mon-august-25th-4-6pmyou/1369074315222127/?_rdr
Jefferson
Ready Kids for School – Jefferson County
- Dates: August 9, 2025 10 a.m. – 12:30 at Jefferson High School – No Preregistration required.
- For more information: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069540320878
Kewaunee
Back to School Program – Kewaunee County
- Distribution: August 13, 2025 12 – 5 p.m.
- For more information: https://www.kewauneeco.org/news/?i=af9b6234edc1
Langlade
Weekend Backpack Program – Antigo Community Food Pantry
- What’s offered: During the school year, backpacks are prepared weekly and sent home through Antigo area schools.
- To sign up/learn more information: https://www.antigofoodpantry.com/weekend-backpack-program-web
Lincoln
Stuff the Bus – United Way of Lincoln County
- For more information: https://www.unitedwayoflincolncounty.org/2025-stuff-bus
Manitowoc
Back-to-School Supplies Distribution – Calumet County Salvation Army (and So. Manitowoc)
- Distribution Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 9:00 am–12:00 pm
- Location: Bread of Life Assistance Center, 16 W Main St, Chilton
- What’s Provided: Backpacks and all required school supplies (pens, pencils, notebooks, folders, etc.) based on grade level supply lists
- To register: Download and complete the paper application in English or Spanish from the Salvation Army website and drop off at the event.
- For more information: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/calumetcounty/equip-families/
Back to School Bash – Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Date: Monday, August 18 from 4:30 – 6:30 Farm at Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center
- This fan-favorite event fills backpacks, brains and bellies with free school supplies, socks, hygiene tools, community resources and more of the necessities for 400+ Littles and their siblings to get ready and excited to head back to school. Guests will enjoy free entertainment and activities and admission to explore the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center!
- For more information: Upcoming Events — Big Brothers Big Sisters WI Shoreline
2nd Annual Community Resource Fair – MPSD
- Date: August 18 from 9 AM – 3:00 PM
- All MPSD students and families are invited to attend this event, packed with helpful resources, local organizations, and school-year support
- For more information: https://www.manitowocpublicschools.org/families/
Marathon
Fill a Backpack Fill a Need – United Way of Marathon County
- For more information: https://www.unitedwaymc.org/workplace-volunteer-council
Marinette
Back to School – Marinette Salvation Army
- Deadline: Sign up by July 31st
- For more information: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/marinette/events/back-to-school-registration-open/
Menominee
Back to School – Marinette Salvation Army
- Deadline: Sign up by July 31st
- For more information: https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/marinette/events/back-to-school-registration-open/
Oconto
Oconto County School Supply Drive
- Registration: closes August 1
- For more information : https://www.ocontocountyschoolsupplydrive.org/
Portage
Project Fresh Start – United Way of Portage County
- Register by: July 25, 2025
- Collection: June 3 – August 11, 2025
- For more information: https://www.unitedwaypoco.org/ProjectFreshStart
Rock
Back2School Bash – Beloit Cares
- Dates: August 16, 2025 – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- What’s provided: Sign up and pay for a backpack. All backpacks are new and filled with new school supplies! All backpacks are $5 each.
- For more information: https://www.beloitcares.com/events/beloit-cares-back2school-bash-1
Sheboygan
Back to School Basics – Sheboygan Optimist Club
- Date: August 9, 2025 8-10 a.m.
- For more information: https://www.sheboygan.k12.wi.us/recreation/activities/back-to-school-basics?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Waupaca
REACH Waupun School Supply Distribution
- Date: August 12 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- For more information: https://www.reachwaupun.org/
Waushara
Back to School Bash – Waushara County
- Date: Friday July 25, 2025 – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- For more information: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKk8lFKuSUh/
Winnebago
Oshkosh Back to School Fair
- Dates: August 13th noon – 6 p.m and August 14th 10 – 4 p.m.
- For more information & to sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUeC5dd0os_1prYptv-gMH66BkyuiwGPzaFfxKlS03XXlr0w/viewform
Wood
Stuff the School Bus / Stuff the Desk – United Way of South Wood & Adams Counties
- Register by: August 1, 2025 to receive supplies for the 2025–2026 school year on their website: https://www.uwswac.org/stuff-the-bus
- Distribution: August 15th & 16th at East Jr. High School (311 Lincoln St., Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494)
- What’s provided: Backpack filled with school supplies
All counties:
Contact the Wisconsin Department of Health Services
For more info: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/parents/index.htm
Have questions? Contact your case manager or visit our contact page to connect with us
