Take Action

Signature Drives

United Way Tools For School

For ALICE and poverty-level families already struggling to afford the basics, providing necessary school supplies can be a financial hardship. Due to the pandemic, the need is even greater this year. United Way Tools for School is an annual school supplies drive that helps ensure students receive the tools needed for learning in any classroom — either in school or virtually from home. Each year, more than 70,000 items are collected by participating organizations and volunteers and distributed to more than 80 schools and community organizations serving children.

Donate items

Purchase much-needed supplies online through YouGiveGoods, an organization United Way has partnered with for this drive. You can buy supplies for a specific county, school, or organization within our regional footprint. You can also organize a virtual drive or join one! To get started, click here.

​

Donate money

Donate via our secure online payment system:

​

​

​

Or checks can be sent to:

United Way of Northern New Jersey
PO Box 6835
Bridgewater, NJ 08807

Note: Make checks payable to “United Way of Northern New Jersey” with “Tools for School” on the memo line.

​

Organize a drive

Ask friends, family, and neighbors to donate supplies from the list below. Then, drop off collected items by August 21, 2020 at United Way of Northern New Jersey’s Somerset County office at 55 North Gaston Avenue in Somerville.

To make other arrangements for dropping off collected supplies, please email Lisa Galonardo or call 973.993.1160, x503.

List of supplies:​

Volunteer

Make a donation of school supplies yourself, engage your family, collect school supplies instead of birthday gifts, run a drive with your friends and neighbors, promote a drive online or via social media, or engage your work colleagues in this effort. If you, your family, or a group you represent would like to help, please click here, email Lisa Galonardo, or call 973.993.1160, x503.