KITS4KIDS
REGISTRATION
Thank you for participating! To provide children in your area with a much-needed backpack and school supplies, simply fill out the form below. Once we receive your submission, we’ll be in touch to coordinate the delivery of the backpacks.
There are helpful tips on what to include (and not to include) in the backpacks further down this page.
If you have any questions, please email initiatives@thegardenoutreach.org
*Available to Christadelphians in North America only.
Tips: Buying School Supplies
If you choose to fill the backpacks with school supplies, shop at stores like Target, Staples, Giant Tiger, Dollar Stores, or Walmart in late July – early August. Typically they put out large displays of named brand school products at this time at amazing prices. Buy good quality items. Cheap markers that dry out and glue sticks that don’t glue are not a bargain. It’s frustrating to teachers and no name products can make kids feel like they aren’t as cool/important as their classmates. Having “the good stuff” goes a long way toward bolstering self esteem and confidence.
Below are lists of the types of supplies that you might be asked to provide.
Reach out to the organization you’re donating to and enquire about urgent items they’re in short supply of.Â
Grades K-2
- Plastic pencil box
- 4-#2pencils
- Large eraser
- 24 count crayons
- 8 count fat washable markers
- 2 large glue sticks
- 8 color watercolor set
- Blunt tip children’s scissors (for either hand)
- 1 cute pocket folder
- 1 pack plain index cards ( for making flashcards)
- 4pk – tissue packs
- Hand sanitizer
Grades 3-5
- Pencil pouch
- mechanical pencils – 6 pack
- Eraser
- 8 count washable markers
- Highlighters
- 4 oz. white glue
- 12 inch ruler
- 3 cute pocket folders
- 1 wide ruled 70 pg notebook
- 1 pkg lined index cards
- 4pk- tissue packs
- Hand sanitizer
Here are our six recommended steps to follow
Step 1: Pray to God
Prayers can accomplish amazing things. Ask God to guide you to find and contact a local school or charity that works with those affected by homeless and low-income families. Confirm they have a process in place to provide the school supplies to the kids who need them. Find out what advice they can offer as to what supplies to provide, and whether the supplies are for grades K-2 or grades 3-5.
Step 3: Buy school supplies!
Next, purchase a selection of school supplies, load them into the backpacks and take the loaded backpacks to your selected local school or charity. Make this a group event – encourage your ecclesia, Sunday School children, CYC, friendship groups or neighbors to fill the backpacks together. Each person could contribute a different item of stationery to make it an inclusive activity.
Step 5: Connect!
This is a perfect opportunity to create a connection with the staff at the school or charity, especially for our children. Ask questions to find out more about the work of the school, who needs help and why, and how your ecclesia can continue to support the work of the school. If the opportunity presents itself, consider inviting the organization to your ecclesia or CYC, post-COVID, to explain more about what they do, and how you can help. Please do ask the staff for permission to take photographs for your report to The Garden, and confirm The Garden is allowed to share the photos on social media. We’d be happy to include the school / charity name and a link to their website!
We’re blessed to be able to provide the resources for this initiative at no cost to you or your ecclesia. If you’re interested in making a financial donation to help offset some of the expenses, we would be incredibly thankful. Through your generosity, The Garden will continue to share exciting new opportunities to inspire our community reach out to those most in need. Donations can be made on our donation page or the WCF website.