Back-to-School

Providing school supplies is one of ResourceWest's most important programs because being successful in school starts with having the basic supplies.

Did you know the average required school supplies for an elementary student costs over $50? This does not include a backpack, or  the non-traditional supplies which are grade or class-specific such as graphing calculators, art supplies, special folder and binders. Without this program, over 1,000 children in the Hopkins and Minnetonka school districts would have limited, or no, school supplies on the first day of school.

Imagine going to school without paper or pencils! It is difficult to believe that some families in our community can’t afford these basic necessities, but it is the reality for a growing number of families.

Through our Back-to-School program, each registered K-12 student receives a new backpack filled with grade specific basic school supplies, as well as three pairs of socks and underwear. It is great joy to watch the children pick out their new backpack and supplies. We love to watch the children leave excited about starting a new school year!

As the demographics of our community have changed, the number of students needing assistance has grown. We are projecting an increase in the number of families registering for the Back-to-School program for the 2010-2011 school year. 

2010 Back-to-School registration dates: August 9-13, 2010
School supplies distribution dates: August 23-27, 2010

To qualify for this program, you must:

• Be a resident of Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Shorewood, or Woodland
• Have an income that qualifies your family for the Free or Reduced School Lunch Program. To see if you qualify, please contact us for the guidelines
• Have physical custody of the children
• Your children must be under the age of 18 and registered for school.

You must bring the following to your appointment:

• Current utility bill (within 30 days for proof of residency)
• ID for yourself
• ID for your children (school ID, medical insurance cards, Social Security card)

Support this program

Support the Back-to-School Program

• Don’t like to shop, or don’t have the time? Our volunteers love to shop! Donate now through our secure online site. Your donation can also be in someone’s name to the Back-to-School program, and they will receive a note informing them of your thoughtful gift.
• Become a drop site. Collect backpacks and school supplies at work, church, through your civic organization, or in your neighborhood.
• Buy a spare. When you purchase school supplies for your child, buy an extra set to donate.
• Turn your birthday/anniversary party into a collection opportunity! Instead of exchanging gifts, have everyone bring a new backpack and/or school supplies to donate to the Back-to-School program.
• Volunteer to buy, sort and distribute back-to-school supplies. Contact us to find out more.

What do we need:
TI84 Graphing Calculators (new/used)
New Backpacks
Washable Markers (10 pack)
Scissors (elementary)
Glue Sticks
Red Pens
Notebooks (college ruled & wide)
Loose Leaf (college ruled)
Colored Pencils
Folders (multiple colors)
Composition Books
Sketch Books
Pencil Sharpeners
Yellow Highlighters
Rulers
Big Pink Erasers
Pencil Pouches
Blue & Black Pens
New Socks - Boys & Girls (all sizes)
New Underwear - Boys & Girls all sizes; Men and Women (up to size 8)
Additional items: Paper towels, Ziploc bags (sandwich, quart, gallon), healthy snacks, Kleenex, assignment books.

Look for our collection barrels located throughout the community through Labor Day:
43 Hoops (2nd & Blake Road)
Cub Foods (Hwy 101 & Hwy 7)
Eisenhower Community Center (Hwy 7)
Excelsior Tech Center - Beard Group (720 2nd St NE - Hopkins)
Excelsior United Methodist Church (Hwy 7 - Excelsior)
First Minnetonka Bank (Glen Lake)
First Minnetonka Bank (Hwy 7 - Lunds)
Full Motion Fitness (14th & Mainstreet - Hopkins)
Great Harvest (Minnetonka Blvd & Hwy 101)
Hopkins City Hall
Lunds (Hwy 7)
Mid-Country Bank (Minnetonka)
Mid-Country Bank (Shorewood)
Minnetonka City Hall
Mizpah UCC (5th Ave N - Hopkins)
Ridgedale YMCA
Shepherd of the Hills Church (Blake Road)
Shorewood City Hall
Starbucks (Hwy 7)
Top Colour Shop (15th & Mainstreet - Hopkins)