United Way of Northern New Jersey is seeking help from volunteers and donations of new school supplies for its annual United Way Tools for School drive, which provides students with the basic tools needed to succeed in the classroom, including students from Warren County.

The drive typically seeks to benefit nearly 10,000 elementary and middle school children of ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) workers and those in poverty throughout the northern New Jersey region.

United Way Tools for School aims to alleviate budget strains on families struggling to afford the basics and who are now impacted by rising inflation.

Through a partnership between United Way and YouGiveGoods.com, donors can make an online purchase of needed supplies that will be delivered automatically to United Way or a partner school in the five counties served: Morris, Somerset, Suburban Essex, Sussex, and Warren. Donations can be made by visiting uwnnj.org/school.

Based on the needs expressed by local educators, United Way is collecting packed backpacks and the following school supplies: hand sanitizer, masks, backpacks, lunch boxes, binders, three-ring notebooks, book covers, filler paper, pocket folders, composition and spiral notebooks, index cards, calculators, pencils, pencil cases, pencil sharpeners, erasers, pens, highlighters, crayons, markers, colored pencils, construction paper, glue, tape, rulers, and scissors.

Donations of individual supplies and new, age-appropriate backpacks can also be made. In addition, school nurses have asked for personal care items such as toothbrushes, deodorant, and underwear and socks in sizes appropriate for kindergarten and first grade. Gift cards that can be used to purchase items such as shoes and clothing are also appreciated.

Last year, with the help of 65 volunteers, hundreds of backpacks and supplies valued at $54,000 were collected and distributed to 40 local schools and 10 nonprofit agencies throughout the northern New Jersey region.

For more information about making donations, holding a United Way Tools for School drive, or volunteering with sorting supplies, visit uwnnj.org/school, email Sean.Hyland@UnitedWayNNJ.org, or call 973.993.1160 x405.