While summer is just beginning for many of us, Spurwink teachers and case managers are already working hard to meet hundreds of students’ needs before school starts again in August.
We need the help of generous donors like you to ensure students have what they need, including backpacks and other school supplies.
Will you make a donation before July 31, 2026, to help Maine families start this school year on the right foot?
Why Donate School Supplies?
When one young child received a colorful backpack full of supplies from our previous drive, their eyes lit up with excitement. One parent was moved to tears by the donations that set their children up for academic success. Another parent shared that receiving supplies from Spurwink helped them afford to buy their child new clothes as they continued to grow throughout the school year.
Especially for parents with multiple school-age children, it can be challenging to afford the basics, and every bit of support helps. With increasing costs of living, support from donors like you helps alleviate families’ stress and allow them to focus on meeting their other needs.
Donate a Gift Card: Support Back-to-School Shopping
In addition to physical supplies, Spurwink also accepts gift cards that can be used for school supplies. This gives students and families the opportunity to go back-to-school shopping on their own terms. Especially for many of the neurodivergent children Spurwink serves, shopping for school supplies may help conceptualize the transition from summer into the school year.
Sometimes, shopping for supplies is the most exciting part of back-to-school season for students, especially if school is something that typically feels scary or uncomfortable. Imagine the aisles of your favorite store transformed into a school supply paradise—gigantic cardboard pencils labeled “School Central” hanging from the ceiling and countless rows of notebooks, with exciting designs ranging from dinosaurs and outer space to sparkly princesses and cartoon characters. Making the choice of which notebook they want to use every day could make a big difference in how a child thinks about going to school. Your gift card donation could make that difference.
Supplies for Success
According to the National School Supply and Equipment Association, access to school supplies helps students learn and comprehend material, increases student confidence and motivation, and enhances teacher preparedness and efficiency. Increasing access to school supplies fosters an inclusive school environment.
Donations are currently being accepted at the following locations:
- Maine Community Bank – 100 Minot Avenue, Auburn, ME
- Maine Community Bank – 664 Main Street, Lewiston, ME
- Maine Community Bank – 172 Commercial Street, Portland, ME
- Maine Community Bank – 71 Marginal Way, Portland, ME
- Spurwink – 1155 Lisbon Street, Lewiston, ME
- Spurwink – 32 North High Street, Bridgton, ME
- Spurwink – 180 Main Street, First Floor, Biddeford, ME
- Spurwink – 9 Hillcrest Ave, Randolph, ME
We are immensely grateful for Maine Community Bank’s support in this effort as one of our Corporate Partners. For more information, please contact Catherine White at catherine.white@spurwink.org.
