Helping Students Get Back to School Strong
As back-to-school season approaches, many Omaha families are preparing for the costs that come with a new school year. Between backpacks, notebooks, pencils, calculators, and other classroom essentials, school supply expenses can quickly add up.
Fortunately, several local organizations are hosting backpack and school supply drives to help students start the year with confidence. Whether you’re a parent looking for resources, a community member hoping to donate, or someone interested in volunteering, these programs provide opportunities to support students across Omaha.
Here’s a look at some upcoming backpack drives and school supply initiatives happening this summer.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands: Mochilas y Sueños (Backpacks & Dreams)
This special event focuses on helping local students begin the school year equipped with the tools they need to learn and thrive.
Date: July 25
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Event information:
https://www.facebook.com/events/boys-girls-clubs-of-the-midlands/-mochilas-y-sue%C3%B1os-backpacks-dreams-/955698833941351/
Goodwill Back 2 School Event
Goodwill’s annual Back 2 School Event helps students prepare for a successful school year through community support and school supply distribution.
Location: 4805 N. 72nd Street
Date: July 25
Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Event information:
https://www.facebook.com/events/4805-n-72nd-street-omaha-ne-united-states-nebraska-68134/back-2-school-event/1513169487146040/
Abide Back-to-School Block Party
Abide’s annual Back-to-School Block Party combines family fun with school readiness resources for neighborhood students.
Date: August 1, 5-7 p.m.
Families can enjoy a community celebration while connecting with resources designed to support students heading back to school.
B.N.B Car Culture Book Bag Drive
The B.N.B Car Culture Book Bag Drive combines community engagement with direct support for students needing school supplies.
Date: August 8
Time: Noon until supplies last
Event information:
https://allevents.in/omaha/bnb-car-culture-book-bag-drive/200030043872100
Completely KIDS Back-to-School Drive
Completely KIDS is collecting donations throughout the summer to support students enrolled in their programs.
Donation Collection: June 1-August 3
Distribution: August 10-14
Please note that backpack and school supply distribution is available only to families currently registered in a Completely KIDS program.
Learn more or donate:
https://completelykids.org/donations/
How You Can Help
- Backpack drives rely on community support to ensure every child has the supplies they need to succeed. Local businesses, community groups, churches, and individuals can contribute by:
- Donating new backpacks and school supplies
- Sponsoring students or families
- Volunteering at distribution events
- Sharing information about available resources
- Making monetary donations to participating organizations
Even a small contribution can help equip a student for a successful school year.
At FiberFirst, we’re proud to highlight community resources that make a difference in the neighborhoods we serve. We encourage our readers to share these opportunities with friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors who may benefit from them.
Together, we can help ensure every student starts the school year prepared, confident, and ready to learn.
Most Needed School Supply Donations
As families prepare for a new school year, many local backpack drives are seeking donations of new, unused school supplies. These items help ensure students have the tools they need to learn, participate, and succeed in the classroom.
High-Demand School Supplies
- Backpacks (all sizes, especially elementary and middle school)
- Wide-ruled and college-ruled notebooks
- Composition notebooks
- Folders with pockets
- Loose-leaf notebook paper
- Pencils and pencil sharpeners
- Pens (blue, black, and red)
- Crayons
- Colored pencils
- Markers
- Highlighters
- Glue sticks
- Scissors (child-safe and standard)
- Erasers
- Pencil boxes and pencil pouches
- Dry-erase markers
- Index cards
Items Often Needed for Older Students
- Scientific calculators
- Graphing calculators
- USB flash drives
- Three-ring binders
- Dividers
- Sticky notes
Classroom Essentials Teachers Appreciate
- Tissues
- Disinfecting wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Paper towels
- Zipper storage bags
Before You Donate
Most organizations request that donated items be:
- New and unused
- In original packaging when possible
- Age-appropriate for K-12 students
- Free from promotional materials or advertising
Every Donation Makes a Difference
A single backpack filled with supplies can cost a family anywhere from $50 to $150 depending on a student’s grade level. By donating even a few items, community members can help reduce the financial burden on local families and ensure students start the school year feeling prepared and confident.
Want to make the biggest impact? Backpack drives often report that monetary donations are especially valuable because organizers can purchase exactly what’s needed and stretch funds through bulk discounts.
Beyond Backpacks: Why Internet Access Matters for Student Success
A backpack filled with school supplies is an important first step, but today’s students also need reliable internet access to complete homework, conduct research, collaborate on projects, and participate in online learning opportunities.
As schools continue to incorporate digital tools into the classroom, having a dependable home internet connection can help students stay connected and keep up with assignments after the school day ends.
That’s why many Omaha families are making the switch to fiber internet. Fiber-optic internet offers fast upload and download speeds, reliable connectivity, and the bandwidth needed to support multiple devices at once—whether students are working on homework, attending virtual tutoring sessions, or participating in educational programs online.
For families looking for high-speed internet options in Omaha, FiberFirst provides 100% fiber-optic internet service designed for modern households, with symmetrical speeds and plans built to support learning, streaming, remote work, and connected homes. FiberFirst serves Omaha and other communities with fiber infrastructure designed to deliver reliable performance for families that depend on internet access every day.
As students head back to school, community support goes beyond notebooks and backpacks. Access to educational resources, technology, and reliable internet can help create opportunities for academic success throughout the entire school year.