As the cost of school supplies becomes more expensive – rising to an average $100 per child annually –families continue to struggle to afford just the basics. Providing necessary back-to-school supplies is an added financial hardship. If households had to choose between paying the electric bill or paying for school supplies, families are often forced to choose to keep the lights on. We call these households ALICE^® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed)

Join United Way Tools For School and help ensure over 13,000 local students in need receive the tools for academic success. Through your donations, you can help elementary, middle, and high school students from northern New Jersey get off to the right start.

In 2025, United Way Tools for School is focused on providing backpacks filled with essential school supplies. Volunteers are needed to provide needed school supplies and to assist with packing the backpacks.  Here is how you can help:

1) Run a collection drive for needed school supplies.  Here is a link for our Tools for School flyer.

2) Run an online collection drive or purchase supplies for donation through our online partner, YouGiveGoods:  26ToolsForSchool

3) Register to provide one or more packed backpacks for one of the thousands of ALICE students in our program: ToolsForSchool-SUG

4) Provide needed supplies through our Amazon Wishlist:  26ToolsforSchool-WishList

4) Make a monetary donation, that will be used to purchase needed supplies and gift cards for families:  Donate-26ToolsForSchool

5) In-person volunteering:  check this listing on or after July 15, 2026.    Space is limited, so be sure to sign up early!

Special thanks for our 2026 Tools for School Sponsors:

Thank you for caring for our local students and for helping to give them a great start on this coming school year!