May 1, 2024 - August 1, 2024

Ready, Set, Supply!

United Way of the Midlands is launching Ready, Set, Supply, a drive to stock the classrooms of elementary school educators throughout the Midlands. Over the summer we’re challenging our community to stock the classrooms of schools served by United Way’s Midlands Reading Consortium program throughout Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, Newberry and Orangeburg counties.

Here's how you can help.

Having the right tools is essential for students to succeed in the classroom. Research shows having the proper school supplies promotes learning, builds self-esteem and helps kids stay in school, especially for those who may already feel out of place. The Ready, Set, Supply! initiative offers students a chance to start the school year with the same materials. Your donation also benefits our teachers who often use their own money when trying to meet the needs of their students.

  1. Host a Ready, Set, Supply! supply drive.

    Let us know you’re a host! Contact Laura Gould by email at lgould@uway.org or phone at 803.733.5412.

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  2. Donate needed supplies.

    You can purchase and donate items requested by teachers from the school supply wishlist.

    ITEM DROP OFF:

    Items may be dropped off Monday through Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm at United Way of the Midlands, 1818 Blanding St., Columbia 

    For questions, contact Laura Gould by email at lgould@uway.org or phone at 803.733.5412.

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  3. Make a donation or become a sponsor.

    Let us do the shopping for you. Make your donation, including the memo  "Attn: Ready, Set, Supply!", and you're done!

    GIVE NOW ONLINE

    SPONSORSHIP PACKET

    Thank you!

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wishlist items

  • Blank notecards
  • Colored pencils
  • Composition notebooks
  • Crayons
  • Dry erase markers
  • Ear buds/headphones
  • Gallon/Qt. Ziploc bags
  • Highlighters
  • Liquid glue
  • No 2 pencils (Dixon or Ticonderoga Brands)
  • Pencil boxes or bags
  • Pink erasers
  • Pocket folders w/prongs
  • Scissors
  • Small glue sticks
  • Tissues
  • Wide rule notebook paper
  • Wide rule spiral notebooks
STEM Supplies Wishlist
Open-Ended STEM Activity Materials:
  • Aluminum foil
  • Coffee filters
  • Craft sticks (jumbo and regular)
  • Cupcake liners
  • Dominos
  • Dry-erase board and markers (great for designing prototypes)
  • Hole punch
  • LEGO bricks/Magnetic blocks/Wooden tinker toys/blocks
  • Level
  • Magnetic materials (magnets and wands)
  • Marbles
  • Markers and colored pencils
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Nuts, bolts, washers
  • Painters' tape
  • Paper (computer and construction)
  • Paper plates
  • Paperclips and other types of clips, such as binder clips
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Play dough/molding clay
  • Protective eyewear
  • Pulley and clothesline rope (inexpensive at hardware stores, make a zip line)
  • PVS pipes and connectors
  • Rubber bands
  • Scissors
  • Simple tools
  • Squeeze bottles
  • Straws
  • Tape and glue
  • Toothpicks
  • Trays
Prepared STEM Kits/Activities (1-2 per bin, requested): 

testimonial

"When students have what they need, there is a boost to their confidence and self-esteem. No matter what a student’s circumstances might be, he or she should be able to come to school and take part in the vibrant classroom setting. The United Way’s school supply program can put smiles on the faces of the first-grade students at Conder Elementary School."
Dr. Beth Gilbert, L.W. Conder Elementary School

Donate to Ready, Set, Supply!

Let us do the shopping for you. Make a donation through United Way of the Midlands, include the note Attn: Ready, Set, Supply, and you're done!

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