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 basic school supply list costs over $30? This does not include 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 2009-2010 school year.

2009 Back-to-School registration dates: August 2009
School supplies distribution dates: August 24-28, 2009

Register for the Back-to-School program

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.

Look for our collection barrels located throughout the community starting the last week of July.

What do we need: New Backpacks • Fiskar Scissors • Three ring zippered binders (Trapper Keepers/Mead) • Magic Markers (water based, non-permanent) • Colored pencils - box of 12 or 24 • Spiral notebooks (college lined) • Loose Leaf Paper (college lined) • Highlighters • Kleenex (large box) • Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss • Rulers - 12 in. with metric measurements • Crayons - 24 pack box• Pencil boxes/Zippered pencil pouches• Ballpoint pens, blue or black ink • Three ring note books • Magic Markers (water based, non-permanent) • Pocket Folders (plain colors) • Pink Erasers • Graphing Calculators • Glue Sticks
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, spiral sketch books, assignment books.
 

Community Drop Sites available through August 19th
Caribou – Hopkins (Hwy 7)
Cub Foods Minnetonka (Hwy 7 & Hwy 101)
Dunn Brothers Coffee - Excelsior
Eisenhower Elementary – Community Education
Freedom Point Assisted Living – MTKA
Fresh Seasons Market – Glen Lake
Great Harvest Bread Company – MTKA (Minnetonka Blvd)
Hopkins City Hall
MidCountry Bank (Hwy 7 & Williston Rd – MTKA)
MidCountry Bank (Shorewood Cub Foods)
Minnetonka City Hall
Mizpah Church – Hopkins
Shorewood City Hall
Starbucks – Hopkins (Hwy 7)
YMCA – Ridgedale
43 Hoops - Hopkins