For the 12th year in a row, nonprofit organization Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference is collecting backpacks and essential school supplies to help local students in need to start the year off on the right foot. The community can contribute by dropping off supply donations at locations throughout the region, coming by the “Stuff the Bus” event happening on July 18 at the El Dorado Hills Town Center Target parking lot, shopping the Hands4Hope Amazon wish list, or contributing financially. This effort is organized and led by Hands4Hope youth participants.
The school supplies collected during this drive are essential to offset costs for local families who are financially struggling. More than 700 students in need from grades TK through 12th are expected to “shop” for free during the distribution event in early August. Donations needed include new backpacks of all sizes, especially backpacks for middle and high school students; plus items to go in the backpacks, such as paper, composition books, colored pencils, mechanical pencils, crayons, markers, rulers, scientific calculators, ring binders, sharpies, highlighters, scissors, dry erase markers, pocket folders, and packs of 3×5 notecards.
“From counting thousands of pencils and erasers to standing under the sun collecting donations, being part of School Supply Drive in past years—and leading it this year—has been such a joy,” says Mia George, a 2025 Folsom High School graduate and School Supply Drive Project Manager / College Intern for the youth-led committee. “The dedication of all the youth involved is truly inspiring, and I’m grateful to contribute to something so meaningful for our community.”
School supply donations are being collected through Thursday, July 17, and may be dropped in Hands4Hope collection barrels located at more than 20 locations, including Big Apple Bagel in El Dorado Hills, El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, three Snap Fitness locations in El Dorado Hills, Placerville and Shingle Springs, El Dorado County Libraries in El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park, Face in A Book, Faith Episcopal Church, and Cappelli Wine. Additional donation drop-off locations, along with a list of items needed, can be found on the Hands4Hope website at www.Hands4HopeYouth.org/schoolsupplydrive.
Donations can also be brought to the exciting “Stuff the Bus” event on Friday, July 18, at the El Dorado Hills Town Center, near Target, where a big yellow school bus from El Dorado County Office of Education will stand at the ready to receive and transport supply donations. Hands4Hope also offers donors the option of shopping an Amazon wish list that will deliver directly to Hands4Hope, or simply sponsoring a student through a direct financial gift.
The Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference School Supply Drive Committee is youth-led with the help of adult mentors. The committee’s goal is to ensure that all students have what they need to be successful in the 2025–26 school year. The committee develops advertising, markets for, and hosts the School Supply Drive. Committee participants collect and distribute all donated supplies in partnership with Placerville Union School District and El Dorado County Office of Education. Additional youth and adult volunteers are invited to join this effort by participating in the “Stuff the Bus” event, in various donation sorting and preparation events, and in the distribution event.
Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference is a nonprofit youth-driven organization with the mission to inspire and empower youth in leadership and service. Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference offers hands-on education and community engagement opportunities to youth from K–12th grades through on-campus and after-school programs in Sacramento and El Dorado Counties. For more information about Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference, visit www.hands4hopeyouth.org or call 916-294-7426.
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