School Tools
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Join us to ensure all Greenville County students receive the tools they need to achieve their full potential.
Every student deserves to start the school year ready to learn.
United Way of Greenville County’s School Tools returns Saturday, August 1, 2026. This summer, we’re working to put fully stocked backpacks in the hands of more than 3,000 Greenville County students, and we need your help to make it happen.
Three Ways to Get Involved
Donate supplies or a stuffed backpack
Use our supply list below to purchase items or stuff a whole backpack! Every contribution counts. Drop off at United Way of Greenville County, 105 Edinburgh Court, Greenville.
Drop-Off Dates
• 105 Edinburgh Court, Greenville
• Monday–Thursday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Fridays: 8:30 a.m.–noon
• Drop-offs accepted through July 24
Make a Gift
Prefer to let us handle it? Your financial gift allows us to purchase supplies and fill any gaps so every student we serve walks in ready to succeed. It costs approximately $100 to send a child back to school with a fully stuffed backpack.
Volunteer
We need hands on deck before and on the day of the event. Whether you can give a couple of hours or a full day, there's a role for you.
Volunteer Dates
• Pre-event: Join us July 24th or 25th for 2-hour sorting and packing shifts at the United Way office.
• School Tools Day August 1st: Volunteers needed from 7 a.m.–3 p.m. at Carolina High School.
Sign Up
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
- Three-ring binder
- Folders with pockets (2)
- Assignment pad
- Spiral notebooks (2)
- Notebook paper
- Graph paper
- Packet of No. 2 pencils and erasers
- Glue sticks or glue
- Ruler
- Washable markers
- Packs of facial tissue
- 1 Pack blue/black pens
- Compass and protractor
- Perforated composition book
- Colored pencils
- Calculator
- Book bag
Important! Before you drop off your backpack, make sure it’s labeled with the grade level — elementary, middle or high school — so we can make sure every student gets exactly what they need.
Corporate sponsors make School Tools possible. From underwriting backpacks to activating your team as volunteers, there are meaningful ways for your organization to show up for Greenville County students. Fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch with everything you need to get involved.
Find more ways to give back in Greenville County
Hands On Connect is Greenville County’s free volunteer portal, where you can browse hundreds of local service opportunities, sign up for the ones that fit your schedule, and connect directly with the organizations that need you most. Registration is free and takes just a few minutes.
3,500 Backpacks.
One Community.
See What We Did Together.
Last year, the parking lot at Carolina High School overflowed — not just with cars and a winding line of families, but with hope. See how Greenville showed up for its students and what your support made possible.