How to Donate School Supplies

The third annual Do Something 101 School Supply Drive is underway, through September 18. Staples and DoSomething.org have teamed up to donate school supplies in communities across the country.

Now through September 18th, you can drop off the school supplies at Do Something 101 collection bins at any Staples store. Each Staples store is teamed up with a local non-profit organization that will ensure your supplies will help students in your community.

If you're interested in having a school supply donation drive at your school, church or other location and need a little help, you can sign up for an action kit and you'll receive flyers and sticker you can post and send out to advertise your school supply donation drive.

How to donate school supplies: iloveschools.com

You can donate today to help children (and their teachers) have the most inspiring learning environment possible through iloveschools.com.

This site allows donors to decide how much (if any) you want to donate to iloveschools.com's operational costs in addition to or instead of donating directly to a teacher/class in need. This organization runs an online forum where teachers can ask for anything they need (at no cost to them). You can donate to teachers, schools and school districts the organization preselects or click here to select teachers on your own.

How to donate school supplies: adoptaclassroom.org

By adopting a classroom through Adoptaclassroom.org, community members form partnerships with specific classrooms. Donors can search among the classrooms registered with the program, or can designate a particular classroom of their choice. Adoptaclassroom.org directs 100% of donations directly to teachers when then use the funds to purchase critical resources and materials.

Adopt-A-Classroom does not send cash to the teachers but rather provides each teacher with an online "e-wallet" account. Donations are deposited into the online account and the teacher can use the funds with a network of online vendors affiliated with Adopt-A-Classroom.

How to donate school supplies: donorschoose.org

Atdonorschoose.org public school teachers can submit project requests for specific supplies and materials their students will need. Donors choose which projects to support from the list submitted by teachers across the country. Once a project is funded, donorschoose.org delivers the materials directly to the school. Teachers are asked to submit photos of the project in use and thank-you notes from students which will be forwarded to the project's donor(s).

How to donate school supplies: Operation Homefront

Operation Homefront has teamed with Dollar Tree and Deal$ stores to collect donated school supplies. The Back-to-School Brigade program runs through Aug. 2nd. Donation can be purchased and dropped directly into the drop box near the checkout counters. While this collection drive officially ended August 2, donations can be made on line at any time and donors can designate they want their contributions to go toward the Back-to-School Brigade program.

How to donate school supplies: Shop and drop

Many schools hold a "stuff-the-bus" drive on fee night or during the school open house prior to the start of school. You can contact your local school and ask if they will be sponsoring a "stuff the bus" donation opportunity. If not, you can simply stop by the local dollar store and pick up art supplies, pens, pencils, and other classroom necessities and drop them off at the school office or to a teacher of your choice.

Yes, it's wonderful if you can purchase brand new pens, pencils, notebook and paper. But, searching around your house, I'll bet you can find gently used items that would be much needed - and much appreciated by any classroom.