7 ways you can donate school supplies to Greater Birmingham area schools

The summer is coming to a close and school is about to be back in session. However, this time can be very stressful for families who are struggling to buy the necessary items for their kids. Birmingham, let’s be good neighbors—here’s how you can donate school supplies to schools in the Greater Birmingham area and help our students have an A+ year.

1. The Circle of Love Back to School Drive—July 29

The Circle of Love Foundation is helping 300 kids and needs our help to give to the last 90 kids TODAY. You can support this organization by either donating money or some of these school supplies:

• Mechanical pencils
• Single subject-wide ruled notebooks
• Pocket folder
• Scissors
• 1 and 2-inch binders 2 Inch
• Loose leaf paper wide ruled
• Loose leaf paper college ruled
• Flash drives
• Earbuds
• Card stock
• Index cards
• Composition notebooks
• Pencil boxes
• Pencil sharpeners
• Highlighters

2. Birmingham Police Department Back to School Supply Drive—August 5 to September 30

To help local students and schools get the supplies they need for the best school year, the Birmingham Police Department is hosting their Back to School Supply Drive from Friday, August 5 through Friday, September 30. No matter if it’s pencils, backpacks, notebooks or whatever a Bham student needs to score big on their test, you can stop by one of these spots in the city to donate school supplies:

• Police headquarters: 1710 1st Ave North, Birmingham, AL 35203
• North precinct: 2600 31st Ave North, Birmingham, AL 35204
• South precinct: 1320 19th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205
• East precinct: 600 Red Lane Rd, Birmingham, AL 35215
• West precinct: 2236 47th St Ensley, Birmingham, AL 35208
• City jail: 425 6th Ave S, Birmingham, 35205

3. Clear the List

Do you have a teacher friend you’d like to help or your kid’s teacher? Be sure to head over to Clear the List. Local teachers can submit their Amazon Wish List and then you can search for Birmingham area teachers’ lists and shop until you drop.

4. Birmingham Education Foundation

Birmingham Education Foundation is all about providing more opportunities for our students. Do you know a student interested in a local internship, scholarships or learning skills to help set them up for success after high school? It’s your time to point our local students towards the Birmingham Education Foundation and donate or volunteer to help these kids thrive.

5. The Literacy Council of Central Alabama

This nonprofit helps Birmingham adults strengthen their reading and writing skills through their different programs, including:

• GED in partnership with Jefferson State Community College
• Family Literacy
• Adult Basic Literacy
• Workforce Development/Workplace Literacy
• English for Speakers of Other Languages

You can join The Literacy Council of Central Alabama in their work to help our community learn the skills they need for more educational and job opportunities through volunteering as a tutor or donating money, books or an item from their Amazon Wish List.

6. Vineyard Family Services Backpack Buddies

Birmingham area students need more than school supplies—they also need nutritious meals and snacks to keep their brains going. Vineyard Family Services in Pelham is stepping up by feeding over 1,000 local students at Alabaster, Pelham and Shelby county schools weekly during the school year with yummy and healthy food. Be sure to head on over to their website to see how you can join their monthly packing parties and donate.

BONUS: 9 Little Free Pantries + other “take what you need/leave what you can” spots for food and more

7. Greater Birmingham area nonprofits

Are you curious about other local nonprofits that help our students get the school supplies and resources they need? There are so many organizations helping our students, like ¡HICA!, Junior League of Birmingham and Reach Out and Read Alabama. Check out our nonprofit guide to see how you can support the incredible work they do.

Want to keep up with more donation opportunities in Birmingham? Tag us @BhamNow and let us know.