Help Arizona Students Come Back To School Ready To Learn

Students may be excited to start the summer break but administrators, teachers and volunteers are already busy preparing for the next school year. One of the keys to achieving educational success is to ensure that every student comes to school ready to learn. Unfortunately, thousands of Chandler students start each school year without adequate school supplies. In an effort to efficiently address this issue, a dozen local organizations are coordinating the Operation Back to School Chandler donation drive.

In the past, school supply drives have been organized by individual agencies. By pulling resources together, Operation Back to School Chandler is streamlining the process of collecting items and distributing them during one single event. This prevents duplication of efforts by the agencies involved and provides accountability for the receiving parties. Nobody wants to give the second or fifth backpack to a student, especially when there are other needs unmet.

The organizations that have come forward to coordinate Operation Back to School Chandler are: For Our City-Chandler, Chandler CARE Center, Chandler Christian Community Center, Chandler Education Foundation, Chandler Non-Profit Coalition, Chandler Unified School District, City of Chandler Neighborhood Resources Division, CrossRoads Nazarene Church, Fans Across America, The YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, The East Valley Jewish Community Center, Si Se Puede and ICAN.

This year’s school supply drive is the largest in Chandler’s history. It aims to provide backpacks, shoes, socks, underwear, uniforms and other supplies to 10,000 elementary, middle and high school students in need. The drive is currently open and will culminate with the distribution of supplies during a single event on Sat., July 20.

The Chandler Unified School District is dedicated to providing transportation assistance to the donation site on July 20. Anyone needing transportation can ask for information by calling 480-812-7650. Students seeking donations on that day are encouraged to bring an identification card as well as a recent report card. Parents can attend on behalf of their children provided they also bring proof of their children’s enrollment at a Chandler school.

During the event, various agencies will provide information about school-related services and offer opportunities for students to be immunized and take vision tests free of charge.

Individuals or groups interested in donating supplies to support Operation Back to School Chandler can find information online at For Our City or by calling 480-782-2214. Drop off sites are located throughout the City and monetary donations are accepted through PayPal at http://chandlerfoodbank.org by clicking on the “donation” tab and indicating “Back-to-School” in the Purpose section. The Chandler Christian Community Center is also accepting checks and cash donations for the event. There are many opportunities for individuals or groups to volunteer on July 20th as well as weeks in advance. Please sign up to volunteer at the For Our City website as well.

Operation Back to School will be a tremendous success because our Chandler community and the organizations that serve it are amazing. We have visionary leaders who understand that we can do more together by addressing needs that are greater than what any individual agency can accomplish alone. It is our hope that every student in Chandler will enjoy the summer break and come back in July ready and eager to broaden their worlds and understanding.