Backpack Coalition
In 2025, over 8,200 backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed to local students.
Backpack Coalition
Mail a Check
United Way Pledge Processing, PO Box 88988, Milwaukee, WI 53288-8988
Payable to: United Way Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
Please add "Backpack Coalition Restricted Fund" to your check memo line.
Ways to Support
Host a Supply Drive
- By collecting supplies with your community group or workplace, you will help us fill backpacks with much needed school supplies to go to students in need.
We are accepting donations of new, never used school supplies including:
- Backpacks, 16” & 18”
- Crayons, 16-24 count
- Washable Markers, fine or broad tip, 8-12 count
- Colored Pencils, 10-12 count
- Spiral Notebooks, one subject, wide or college ruled
- Binders, 1” or 2”
- No. 2 Pencils, 12 count
To host a PHYSICAL supply drive at your workplace or in your community where United Way supplies you with barrels, fill out the request form.
Request Form for Physical Supply Drive
To host a VIRTUAL supply drive at your workplace or in your community where United Way supplies you with a workplace/group specific Amazon Wish List (for items to be shipped directly to United Way), fill out the request form.
Request form for virtual supply drive.
All Supply Drives need to conclude by July 8 to be included in our 2026 backpacks.
Shop Our Amazon Wishlist
We have compiled a listing of our most needed and requested items into an Amazon Wishlist to make giving back even easier. Items will be shipped directly to our United Way office in Milwaukee.
Support Our Students
Be a Future Maker and provide financial sponsorship to our Backpack Coalition program. Workplaces that provide sponsorship will have priority choice when scheduling their packing event at the end of July.
Volunteer Opportunity
Supporting Our Community
We are supporting the following schools and funded organizations with backpacks and school supplies this year:
- Advocates of Ozaukee
- Alexander Mitchell Integrated Arts School
- Bay View Community Center
- Community Advocates
- Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
- Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy
- Family Promise of Ozaukee County
- Food Pantry of Waukesha County
- FRIENDS, Inc.
- Germantown School District
- Grafton School District
- Guest House of Milwaukee
- Waukesha Health & Human Services
- La Casa de Esperanza
- Lloyd Barbee Montessori
- Lowell International Elementary School (MKE)
- Lowell Elementary School (WAUK)
- Milwaukee Community Crossroads
- Mukwonago Food Pantry
- Muskego Food Pantry
- Neighborhood House of Milwaukee
- Next Door Milwaukee
- Pathfinders
- Pewaukee Food Pantry
- Rooted & Rising
- Salvation Army of Waukesha County
- Sojourner Family Peace Center
- St. Joseph Academy
- St. Augustine Preparatory Academy
- Townsend Street School
- Walkers Point Youth & Family Center
- Waukesha South High School
- Waukesha West High School
- Wisconsin Community Services, Inc.
Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors
Backpack Coalition Committee
Our committee collaborates to ensure backpacks and supplies are beneficial to the students and distributed equitably.
Food Pantry of Waukesha County, Germantown School District, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast, Milwaukee Area Labor Council AFL-CIO, Monroe Group Ltd, Mukwonago Area School District, Mukwonago Food Pantry, Muskego Food Pantry, Pewaukee Food Pantry, School District of Waukesha, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, and Waukesha County Health and Human Services
Questions? Contact Sarah Kiefer 414.837.3085 or email.