Drive for Supplies

Drive for Supplies is an annual MCPS event where schools and community members collect new and gently used school supplies, such as backpacks, pencils, markers, and notebooks, to support MCPS families in need.

Each summer, student volunteers sort these donations into a community “store” where families can shop for free, ensuring every student starts the school year prepared.

Community Impact and Support

Drive for Supplies is more than a supply drive; it is a day of community, care and connection. In past years, community partners like The UpCounty Hub and the Rise-N-Shine Foundation have provided food boxes, while families connected with essential resources including SNAP benefits, Free and Reduced-Price Meals, and summer support programs. At our 2026 event alone, over 900 students received supplies.

Waste Reduction in Action

This initiative also serves as an important waste-reduction project, keeping large volumes of usable materials out of landfills during end-of-year locker and desk clearouts. In 2025, marking the program’s 25th anniversary, MCPS schools recovered approximately 4.5 tons of supplies.

How to Get Involved

• Volunteer. Interested in helping out? Learn more about volunteer opportunities for students and staff.
• Donate. We accept donations year-round from community members and corporate sponsors. To donate, contact John Meyer, Waste Reduction Manager, at recycling@mcpsmd.org or email sustainability@mcpsmd.org.
• Sign Up Your School. Look for our annual spring memo to register your school for end-of-year supply collection.

Read the full recap of our 2026 Drive for Supplies event.