2026 Back to School Resources

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 to receive supplies for the school year on their website: https://www.uwswac.org/form/2026-stuff-the-desk-registration
• Distribution: August 14th & 15th 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

• Registration: May 21 – July 17, 2026 (or until full capacity) via Salvation Army site: https://thesalvationarmywi.regfox.com/greater-green-bay-one-stop-school-shop-2026  
• Distribution Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at Salvation Army Kroc Center
• What’s included: Backpacks, school supplies, socks & underwear for up to 3,000 kids

 Back-to-School Event – The Giving Tree

• Date: August 12, 2026 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-12

Back to School Bash – Green Bay First

• Date: August 23 2026 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

• 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

• Open House Event: August 25 at B&G Club Dane County
• Registration for Open House will open mid August 2026. To register, please visit their parent portal.
• For More information: https://www.bgcdc.org/back2school

Back to School Program – WayForward Resources

• Registration: June 15 – August 3rd
• For more Information: https://www.wayforwardresources.org/get-help/seasonal-programs/ or Contact 608-836-7338

11^th Annual Back2School Block Party – Theresa Terrace Neighborhood Center

• Date: August 20 from 5-7 p.m.
• Offerings: Free school supplies, free activities, free food and drinks
• For more info: https://www.wisconsinyouthcompany.org/events/

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 leticia@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

• Registration is from July 1-31 each year and backpacks are distributed to registered families in early August
• 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 14
• 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 15 at Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac
• Registration Open July 13 – August 5: https://www.backtoschoolfdl.org/online-registration
• For more information: https://www.backtoschoolfdl.org/

Grant

Back to School Resource Fair – Grant County Partners

• Date: Monday, August 3rd  3:30PM-6PM
• Event Address: Youth and Ag Building at Grant County Fairgrounds, 916 Elm St., Lancaster, WI
• Contact us at (608-723-2136)  or email GrantCountyDSS@gmail.com
• To Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Vcc3qp1MzDA6vfi9qZl6Py30pjhb9Orqb5LrHP1K044/viewform?edit_requested=true&pli=1

Jefferson

Ready Kids for School – Jefferson County

• Dates: August 8, 2026 10 a.m. – 12:30 at Jefferson High School – No supplies will be available after this date/time) – Both parent and child must attend. No Preregistration required. Information will be collected upon arrival to identify your child’s age and school.
• For more information: Visit the Facebook Post here.

Kewaunee

Back to School Program – Kewaunee County

• Distribution: August 19, 2026 12 – 5 p.m.
• Location: Lakehaven Hall – 96 Ellis Street, Kewaunee
• For more information and to register: https://form.jotform.com/260994303401149?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demo0gancigd&fbclid=IwY2xjawS81i9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFXdzJzYWV4MG5RTjVzSGZRc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHukYKRQoN760Kj1Z8NmHnHP4XGERhm7B0G0krU6zGtn_52DkBM27UoMhRrMl_aem_P31_8Gc6bCC0qX6eRgzq4w

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/stuff-bus

Manitowoc

KAN Cool for School

• Throughout July and August, various local businesses, churches, and community organizations often host backpack distribution drives. You can view or monitor the Manitowoc Chamber of Commerce Directory or Manitowoc Public School District Announcements as the school year approaches to find localized distribution points.
• Date: Monday, August 8, 2026!
• For more information: www.kancool.org

Marathon

Fill a Backpack Fill a Need – United Way of Marathon County

• Available for students entering 4K through 8th grade who qualify for free or reduced lunch.
• Eligible families typically receive a tick/voucher through their school – check with your child’s school district for distribution details.
• For more information: https://www.unitedwaymc.org/workplace-volunteer-council

Marinette

Back to School – Marinette Salvation Army

• Event date: August 20 10 AM – 2 PM
• Deadline: Sign up by July 31^st
• To Register: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/hGNrare2JV
• For more information: https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/wi/marinette/w-russell-street-corps/back-to-school-bash/

Menominee

Back to School – Marinette Salvation Army

• Event date: August 20 10 AM – 2 PM
• Deadline: Sign up by July 31^st
• To Register: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/hGNrare2JV
• For more information: https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/wi/marinette/w-russell-street-corps/back-to-school-bash/

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 24, 2026
• Distribution Date: August 15
• PLEASE NOTE- Students enrolled in Head Start or in the Almond-Bancroft School District do NOT need to register. School supplies will be given out directly by your school. Contact your school for more information
• To register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfubGRXHI8rWzRv2RwmbDtgD6Ny51u8SE-iAX5pMxU50jyhGg/viewform
• For more information: https://www.unitedwaypoco.org/ProjectFreshStart

Rock

Back2School Bash – Beloit Cares

• Dates: August 16, 2026 – 10 a.m. – 12 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-2

Sheboygan

Back to School Basics – Sheboygan Optimist Club

• Date: August 8, 2026 8-10 a.m.
• For more information: https://rec.sheboygan.k12.wi.us/programs/back-to-school-basics

Waushara

Back to School Bash – Waushara County

• Date: Friday July 24, 2026 – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• For more information: https://www.wausharaargus.com/stories/back-to-school-bash-registration-opens,339309

Winnebago

Oshkosh Back to School Fair

• Dates: August 13^th noon – 6 p.m and August 14^th 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 6 to receive supplies for the school year on their website: https://www.uwswac.org/stuff-the-bus
• Distribution: August 14th & 15th 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