Supply Smiles: Denton’s Back-to-School Drives Mix Philanthropy with Fun!

Although it’s only July, the 2023-2024 school year will be here before we know it. And a new school year means purchasing backpacks and supplies.

Sadly, many families in the Denton area may struggle with obtaining these items, which can be costly. For this reason, a number of organizations serving Denton are collecting school supplies to be distributed to Denton ISD students in need.

Here are some ways you can help make a donation.

And if you are in need of assistance with school supplies this year, Denton ISD will be hosting two Back-to-School fairs designed to help prepare economically disadvantaged students to go back to school. The fairs will be held:

Services offered at the fair will include free backpacks and school supplies, as well as free health physicals, immunizations, haircuts, and more.

Century 21 Judge Fite Snow Cone Client Appreciation Party & School Supply Drive

Come out to donate backpacks and other school supplies at Century 21 Judge Fite’s Snow Cone Client Appreciation Party and School Supply Drive on Thursday, July 20th from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Denton office, and cool down with a snow cone!

According to Jennifer Grimes, Denton regional sales manager for Century 21 Judge Fite, Denton ISD has asked specifically for backpacks.

“This is a real challenge for them, so we want to eliminate this — we don’t want this to be a challenge anymore,” she explains. “We really want to fill the need with backpacks because it’s a costly item. We had a great turnout with this last year and we’re really hoping it will be the same this year.”

And Grimes says since the COVID pandemic, some schools do not have enough lockers for students to store their books and school supplies during the day. “So a lot of our kids are carrying around the items that they need back and forth during the school day and at home,” she adds. “Backpacks is what Denton ISD said, yes, we have the greatest need for.”

Additionally, Grimes says several teachers and teacher support groups have contacted them and they are happy to distribute donations of school supplies to them as well. “There’s always a multitude of kids who just don’t have the ability to provide (school supplies),” she says. “And teachers really like to try to eliminate that need.”

Century 21 Judge Fite – Denton is located at 3537 Teasley Lane in Denton. For more information, visit their Facebook page or call (940) 320-4355.

GDWCAR Stuff the Bus Event

Also helping to make sure Denton ISD students all have backpacks this year is the Greater Denton/Wise County Association of Realtors (GDWCAR), who are collecting backpacks from July 1st to July 27th as part of their Stuff the Bus Event.

“Denton ISD would like to collect 7,000 backpacks, so we’re going to give it our best and help them reach their goal,” says Nancy Myers, association executive for GDWCAR.

Donations can be dropped off on weekdays between 8:30 am to 5:00 pm at the GWCAR office located at 3805 W University Drive in Denton.

And on the final collection day, Thursday, July 27th, Myers says folks who drop by between 11:00 am to 1:00 pm to donate a backpack will receive a cool treat — a Gnomesicle from Gnome Cones.

“Give a little and when you give a little, it always comes back around,” Myers says to encourage Dentonites to donate. “That’s not the reason to do it, but it just feels good to give.”

GDWCAR is located at 3805 W University Drive in Denton. For more information, click here or visit their Facebook page.

DCFOF Back to School Drive

And to help the Denton ISD students of families who participate in their services, Denton County Friends of the Family (DCFOF) will be collecting donations of all school supplies from July 17th to the end of the month.

“Anybody in the Denton County area that is receiving services from Denton County Friends of Family in the last 30 days is able to sign up through our program and receive any backpacks or supplies that they need,” explains Kristina Sandoval, community resource coordinator for DCFOF. “We will be collecting all the necessary supplies for elementary, middle school, (and) high school kiddos.”

Donations can be dropped off at DCFOF’s Denton outreach office located at 4845 South I35 East, Suite 200, in Corinth.

Then all collected donations will be distributed to DCFOF families from August 3rd to August 5th in time for the first day of school.

Sandoval encourages Dentonites to donate to families receiving assistance from DCFOF as it helps their clients who may be going through financial hardship and are unable to provide school supplies for their children.

“(And)  that’s one thing less they have to worry (about), especially when they’re going through trauma, domestic violence, or sexual abuse,” she adds. “They have other things to deal with, so that’s one less thing that they would have to focus on.”

DCFOF’s Denton outreach office is located at 4845 South I35 East, Suite 200, in Corinth. For more information, call (940) 387-5131 or visit them on Facebook.