Registration for 2026 is now closed.
For more than 20 years, while kids have enjoyed the height of summer abandon, neighbors and friends of the LCEC have organized a school supplies drive. Adult and youth volunteers sign up students, collect donations, pack bags of school supply staples, and make sure those bags get to more than 400 young people from nearby neighborhoods.
Program information
- Registration is from July 1-31 each year and backpacks are distributed to registered families in early August
- Youth in grades K-12 are eligible if they live on the west side of Madison in zip codes 53711, 53719, 53717, 53705
- Families who are registered with WayForward’s school supplies program may not register for the LCEC’s program
Registration is open July 1-31 each year
- Families can register online
- Families can register over the phone at 608-833-4979
- Families can pick up a registration form in the LCEC office at 55 S Gammon Rd Madison, WI 53717 and mail it back, drop it in the outside mailbox, or give it to someone in the office
- Families can email a registration form to FrontDesk@LCECmadison.org
- NOTE: Families will be contacted during the first week of August to confirm whether they will receive supplies
How to contribute
- Drop off NEW supplies at the LCEC.
- Donate online at https://lcecmadison.org/give-supplies
- Purchase school supplies from our Amazon Wishlist & have them shipped directly to the LCEC. Access our Wishlist here: https://a.co/0gnPd42F
- Check out our sponsorship package for organizations looking to get involved!
- Volunteer to sort, inventory, pack, and hand out school supplies! Reach out to Hannah at 608.833.4979 x224 or Hannah@LCECmadison.org for details.
Pick-up details
- Backpack pick-up typically happens during the second week of August, but this can change from year to year
- Families will be asked to provide identification, a utility bill or a medical card to verify their address at pick-up
Questions?
Reach out to Hannah at 608.833.4979 x224 or Hannah@LCECmadison.org if you have questions. Thank you!