Shop for GOOD: Back to School Digital Guide

Let’s SHOP for GOOD! Take a look and help our nonprofits get some of their MOST NEEDED items!

NOURISH UP

Supporting Charlotte-Mecklenburg neighbors in need.

Dedicated to ending hunger and helping every student thrive in school.

Canned fruit • Oatmeal packets • Non- sugar cereal

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PIEDMONT MUSIC THERAPY CLINIC & STUDIO These items will provide hydration for children, adult clients, and music therapy college interns at our organization. A new water dispenser will keep clients, students, staff, and volunteers hydrated while helping reduce single-use plastic waste as we transition to a larger, more accessible space. The requested laptops and iPads will equip college students completing their music therapy internships at Piedmont Music Therapy Clinic & Studio.

Hot/Cold Water Dispenser • Laptops • iPads

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MATTHEWS HELP CENTER The items will be packed into backpacks for elementary, middle, and high school students and distributed at our Back-to-School event on August 15. These supplies will help students in need feel prepared and confident, paving the way for a stronger education and a brighter future.

Composition Notebooks • Sharpie Highlighters • 3-Ring Binders

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CRISIS ASSISTANCE MINISTRY The items are provided at no cost to low-income Mecklenburg County families through the Crisis Assistance Ministry Free Store and Partner Agency Network. More than 40 schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg system require uniforms, which are among the most requested items at the Free Store where families shop for free. Since children quickly outgrow clothing, new or gently used uniforms in sizes 3T to adult are needed year-round.

School Uniforms: Pants, Shorts, Skirts, Polo Shirts

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CRITTENTON OF NORTH CAROLINA These items will be given to teens in foster care who participate in our Legacy Hall and Sarah’s House residential programs.

Providing clear and regular backpacks supports the education of girls at Crittenton, many of whom are navigating crises.

Access to essential school supplies builds their confidence and empowers them to succeed academically.

Clear and Regular Backpacks (Elementary/High School )

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YMCA OF GREATER CHARLOTTE, Y READERS PROGRAM These supplies support Y Readers students in kindergarten through 3rd grade who are working to reach grade-level reading skills. Your contributions provide the materials students in our Y Readers after-school tutoring program need to grow and succeed.

Pencils, Backpacks (Elementary), Composition Notebooks

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ANDERSON OUTREACH These supplies support school-aged youth participating in our summer Back-to-School events. This summer, Anderson Outreach will host multiple Back-to-School Bash events, providing over 300 backpacks, warm meals, and giveaways to youth experiencing food insecurity. With your support, these free community events can create a meaningful and lasting impact.

Backpacks (Elementary/High School ) Composition Notebooks • Pencil Pouches

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INREACH These items provide essential support to school-aged children with special needs. By easing the financial burden of back-to-school expenses, these donations allow families to focus on their child’s learning and growth. Having the right tools fosters confidence, inclusion, and success for children with special needs. Together, we can help create a stronger, more supportive school year for every child.

Backpacks (Elementary/High School ) Uber Gift Cards • Amazon Gift cards

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WAYFINDERS These items will help our scholars in grades 4 through 12 feel confident and prepared for the new school year. Each year, we provide school supplies at our Back-to-School Bash to support their success. At Wayfinders, we’re committed to removing barriers so scholars and their families can start the school year with confidence and hope.

Composition Notebooks • Binders • Loose Leaf Paper

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YOUNG BLACK LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE (YBLA) We’re hosting a Back-to-School Book Bag Packing Jamfest on August 23 to support students of all ages in the community.

Donations will provide essential supplies for children across Charlotte and in under-resourced schools. This event furthers our mission to develop community-serving leaders and encourages collaboration between young leaders and partners.

Backpacks (High School) • Mechanical Pencils • Composition Notebooks

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PHILIPS ACADEMY OF NC These classroom essential supplies support students with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing teachers with the tools to deliver “Real Learning for Real Life” lessons in academics, job training, and independent living. Among the most frequently used and requested items, these supplies play a crucial role throughout the school year.

Printer Paper • Binders • Cleaning Wipes

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BARRE BELLE These items support elementary students in our tuitionfree after-school dance program at Barre Belle. Providing essential supplies like ballet shoes, leotards, and tights helps make dance accessible to every child in our community.

Your support removes barriers and unlocks the life-changing benefits of focus, discipline, confidence, and emotional wellbeing through ballet.

Ballet Shoes • Leotards • Tights

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DO GREATER CHARLOTTE These items support middle and high school students in Do Greater’s free after-school programs. Printed resources like design templates, business pitch worksheets, and event flyers help make learning hands-on and ideas come to life. Access to ink ensures students have the tools they need to create, build, and confidently share their work.

Printer Ink • Printer Paper • Dry Erase Markers

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THOMPSON These items will support many middle and high school students who often start feeling self-conscious during this stage. Access to high-quality hygiene essentials helps build their confidence and self-worth. This support is especially important as they prepare for the new school year.

Hygiene Items • Uniform Polos • Footwear Gift Cards

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WING HAVEN We partner with 35 NC Pre-K and Meck Pre-K classrooms, plus the Nest Academy, through our Preschool Environmental Education Program (PEEPs) and Nest Explorers. Each month, we provide all the materials needed for a nature-themed lesson, including two packages of markers for every classroom.

Washable Markers • Glue Sticks • Crayons

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CHAMPION HOUSE OF CARE PROJECT ONE School-aged children from elementary through high school benefit from these supplies, especially those facing financial or family challenges. Many lack basic items like backpacks, paper, and pencils that others often take for granted.

Providing these essentials helps every student feel included, confident, and ready to learn.

Backpacks (Elementary/High School • Water Bottles • School Supplies

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CHARLOTTE BILINGUAL PRESCHOOL These items will support our 3- and 4-year-old students in the after-school program. We’re seeking Montessori toys, bilingual flashcards, and non-toxic paint to enrich our Reggio Emiliainspired curriculum. These materials foster creativity, language development, and hands-on learning, which are essential for nurturing the growth of our bilingual children.

Montessori Toys • Bilingual Flashcards • Paint (non-toxic)

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CROSSNORE COMMUNITIES FOR CHILDREN These items will be given to K–12 students enrolled in oncampus care and attending on-campus schools. Donated school supplies provide the tools our kids need to feel prepared, learn confidently, and focus on being kids instead of worrying about what they’re missing. Your support helps set them up for success both in and out of the classroom.

Scissors • Facial Tissue • Staplers

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DESPIERTA These items will support the Bonita Rising Youth Program across seven CMS schools. With the right tools, our students can focus on learning, dreaming, and growing—free from worry and surrounded by a caring community.

Journals • Markers • Construction Paper

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DIGI-BRIDGE These items support elementary-aged children participating in our after-school STEAM program across Charlotte. They fuel hands-on learning by bringing science, technology, engineering, art, and math to life. Supplies like pencils, glue, slime activator, and tablecloths provide engaging materials for students who might not otherwise have access.

Batteries • Glue • Slime Activator

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CLASSROOM CENTRAL Your support will help prepare over 162,000 students and their teachers in our region for the upcoming school year. Nearly half of local students begin the year without basic supplies, creating a need for over 1,000,000 items this August. Your generosity provides essential tools that help students and teachers feel included and set up for success.

Loose Leaf Paper • Markers • Crayons

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SEEDS OF HOPE These items will support our Seeds of Hope Scholars— college-bound students from Charlotte’s underserved communities. We’re preparing care packages to help them feel encouraged, supported, and ready for this important next step.

Portable Chargers • Towel Sets • First Aid Kits

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SUPPORTIVE HOUSING COMMUNITIES These school supplies will support children in our programs as they prepare for the upcoming school year, ensuring they have the tools to learn and thrive. Supplies will also be provided to residents advancing their education through college, certificate training, or GED programs.

School Supply Kits (Middle & High school students)

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RENAISSANCE WEST COMMUNITY INITIATIVE The items listed will support students at Renaissance West STEAM Academy, from Pre-K through 8th grade. Donations of facial tissue and disinfecting wipes help maintain a safe and healthy environment by reducing the spread of germs, especially during seasonal changes.

Facial Tissue • Disinfecting Wipes

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LiveLearnPlay These items support preschool-aged children enrolled in our early education program. Donated supplies provide essential fine motor, cognitive, and social-emotional tools that help students stay focused, enjoy learning, and reach their full potential.

Books • Fine Motor Toys • Yoga Mats

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FOSTER VILLAGE CHARLOTTE These items provide critical support for children entering the foster care system. Many school-aged children arrive with few or no personal belongings, making the transition even more challenging. Foster Village delivers brand-new items, including school supplies, within 48 hours to help each child feel seen, valued, and supported.

Backpacks (High School) • Pencils/Colored Pencils • Reusable Water Bottles

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FAMILIES FORWARD CHARLOTTE All items purchased from this list will directly support elementary through high school students in our Family Success Program. Hygiene products and clean clothing help students feel confident and prepared, while games and art supplies nurture creativity and emotional well-being. Gift cards offer families the dignity of choice.

Reusable Water Bottles • Watercolor Paint Sets • Deodorant

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RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF GREATER CHARLOTTE These items will support families caring for a sick or injured loved one in the hospital. Your donations also help us create a safe, enriching after-school program where students receive mentorship and build the skills they need to thrive in life.

Backpacks (Elementary/High School) • Spiral-Bound Notebooks • Colored Pencils

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FIRM FOUNDATIONS YOUTH & FAMILY OUTREACH These items support children in our after-school programs serving students from kindergarten through 8th grade. Donated supplies help us create a safe, enriching environment where students receive mentorship and develop the skills they need to grow and thrive.

Washable Markers • Crayons • Washable Glue Sticks

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CIRCLE DE LUZ These items will go directly to our program members— Latina students in middle and high school. Each August, we welcome approximately 175 Latina students and their families at our annual Back-to-School event. By providing essential supplies and resources, we help them start the year strong and set the stage for success.

Backpacks (High School) • Reusable Water Bottles • Art Supplies

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FIRST GEN SUCCESS These items will directly support First Gen Success scholars— high-achieving, college-bound high school seniors who are the first in their families to attend college. Supplies like planners and dorm essentials help them stay organized, build independence, and ease their transition to college life.

Student Planners • Amazon Gift Cards • Moving Bags

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HOPE FOR HARVEST YOUTH CENTER These items will directly support underserved children ages 6 to 17 from low-income neighborhoods, shelters, or group homes who participate in our free after-school program or are referred by trusted partners. These donations do more than fill backpacks—they restore dignity, spark joy, and open doors to new opportunities.

Hygiene Kits • Headphones • Deodorant

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CHARLOTTE FAMILY HOUSING These items will support school-aged children and youth as they transition out of homelessness. Backpacks and school supplies help students return to school feeling prepared and confident, while also easing the financial burden on their families.

Backpacks (High School) • Notebooks • Pencils

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StriveCLT StriveCLT has placed over 500 books into the hands of afterschool students, helping them build personal home libraries and a love for reading. Now, we’re providing each child with their own bookshelf to remind them that reading matters and gives them the joy and pride of seeing their growing library on display.

Children’s Bookshelf to Build a Home Library

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THANK YOU, DUKE ENERGY for powering our Shop for GOOD: Back to School Campaign!