Tools for School

The Tools for School program aims to reduce one known barrier
preventing children and youth from successful learning and participation in school.

Back to school time is always exciting, especially when you have everything you need for learning! But not everyone has that opportunity. United Way Central Alberta presents Tools for School, which aims to reduce a known barrier that prevents children and youth from successful learning and participation in school. Annually, Tools for School provides backpacks and school supplies to students in kindergarten through Grade 12 whose families have limited resources. While the school supplies included may not exactly match your school’s supply list, they’re a great start. Through support of community donors and corporate sponsors, we continue to meet the needs of children and youth in our community.

Help Tools for School be a catalyst for bringing together the education, public, and corporate sectors.

Ways to Participate

Build a Backpack with a Group
Build a backpack for a student by collecting all the school supplies they need and filling a new backpack.

This year, we’re focusing on donations of completed backpacks. Providing a backpack filled with supplies is one of the best ways to support local students and families preparing for back-to-school season.

You can get your family, friends or workplace involved. The full list of needed supplies for a backpack is below.
Shop & Drop
If you are out shopping and looking to get involved, we invite you to fill a backpack with the supplies or purchase one of our high-needs items (a new empty backpack, headphones, a Texas Instruments Scientific Calculator, or a TI-83 Plus, TI-84 Plus or TI-84 Silver Calculator). Lists for

You can drop off donations at our office located at:

United Way Central Alberta: 100 4828 53 Street, Red Deer. Monday to Thursday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Make a Monetary Donation
Can’t make it out to shop? You can still contribute by making a secure donation online! Donations make it possible for families to purchase supplies specific to them and higher priced items like Chromebooks, headphones, and calculators.

Donate
Donate at the till
From July 6 to September 28, 2026 visit your local Staples location and add a Tools for School donation to your purchase.

Find A Staples Location

Supplies List for Backpacks

If you require assistance

We are happy to share that families will be able to access the Tools for School Program through participating community service agencies, Red Deer Public Schools, and Red Deer Catholic.

If you are currently working with any of the below agencies, please reach out to your contact with them to inquire about a backpack.

• Big Brothers Big Sisters Red Deer
• BGC Red Deer
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Lacombe
• Care for Newcomers
• CASA Mental Health
• McMan Youth, Family and Community Services

If you are not currently working with a listed agency, and require assistance please email info@caunitedway.ca

Contact Us

Unit 100, 4828 53 Street
Red Deer, Alberta T4N 2E8

phone: 1-403-343-3900
email: info@caunitedway.ca

Charitable BN: 11927 8364 RR0001

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