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Tools for School Success
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Wilder Tools for School Success Drive

Providing school supplies annually to students served by Wilder

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July 1-August 31, 2025

Join Wilder’s Tools for School Success Drive and help equip students with the supplies they need to thrive in the classroom. When you donate backpacks or snack packs, you’re not just giving school supplies—you’re helping children focus, families feel supported, and communities thrive. Your support helps break down barriers and promote equity for students served through Wilder programs.

This year’s goal: 2,000 backpacks and snack packs. Let’s make sure every student is ready to learn, grow, and succeed.

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Backpack Drive

Step 1: Buy supplies and backpacks.

All supplies and backpacks should be new. Backpacks and supplies are needed for elementary, middle, and high school students. Please use the shopping lists to purchase your supplies.

Step 2: Fill the backpacks with supplies at home or at the office.

Whether you fill one backpack or 100, know that you are helping students start the school year with supplies they need to succeed in the classroom.

Step 3: Schedule a time to drop your filled backpacks at Wilder Center.

Backpacks and supplies will be accepted July 29 - August 15, 2025. A Wilder staff member will meet you in the Wilder Center lobby to accept your donations. If a drop-off slot is full or you need a time that is not listed, please email advancement@wilder.org. 

Schedule a time

Elementary School

  • 1 backpack (no wheels)
  • 4 wide-rule note books
  • 4 two-pocket folders
  • 1 box of crayons (24 count)
  • 1 box markers (10 count)
  • 1 box of colored pencils (12 count)
  • 1 box of pencils
  • 1 bag of pens (black or blue)
  • 1 pair of kids scissors (blunt edge)
  • 6 glue sticks
  • 1 pencil pouch

Middle School and High School

  • 1 backpack (no wheels)
  • 4 college ruled 1 subject notebooks
  • 4 two-pocket folders
  • 1 package of pens (blue or black)
  • 1 box of pencils
  • 1 pencil pouch
  • 1 highlighter
  • 1 box of colored pencils (12 count)

Snack Pack Drive

Step 1: Buy snacks.

Step 2: Pack your snack items into a 1-gallon zipper-top bag.

Place all items into a gallon-size zip top plastic bag, remove the air from the bag, and seal. Avoid snacks that contain nuts or peanut butter, snacks with foil lids, water bottles, and glass containers.

Step 3: Schedule a time to drop off your snack packs at Wilder Center.

Snack packs will be accepted July 29 - August 15, 2025. A Wilder staff member will meet you in the Wilder Center lobby to accept your donations. If a drop-off slot is full or you need a time that is not listed, please email advancement@wilder.org. 

Schedule a time

Each snack pack should have:

  • 1 container of single-serve macaroni and cheese (Kraft Easy Mac, Velveeta, Annie’s)
  • 1 fruit cup (diced pears, diced peaches, mandarin oranges)
  • 2 applesauce pouches (Go-Go Squeeze, Motts, Kirkland brands)
  • 1 bag of single-serve crackers (Cheeze-it, Goldfish, pretzels)
  • 1 granola bar (Quaker Chewy, Z-Bars, Annie’s Chewy bars)

Questions?

Please email advancement@wilder.org for more information about how to participate. We welcome partnerships with businesses, organizations and families that want to support our mission.