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Tools for School Backpack Program

The Tools for School Backpack program empowers students to kick off the school year prepared and eager to learn. Teachers have observed that when students lack essential supplies, they are less likely to engage in class, complete assignments, or attend school regularly. This gap puts vulnerable students at a significant disadvantage compared to their peers.

For the past twenty years, 3Rs has partnered with volunteers to fill and distribute nearly 70,000 backpacks across Maine. These backpacks are provided at no cost to low-income students or their families. We collaborate closely with schools and social workers to identify and support students in need. The extensive reach and enduring impact of our program have made 3Rs a trusted resource for case workers and schools, ensuring that their students return to school fully equipped and ready to thrive.

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How do I get a backpack for a student? 

If you are a social worker/case manager or principal of a member school who would like more information about getting backpacks for your clients or students, please send an email to: teacherstore@ruths.org

PLEASE NOTE:

We take requests from June 1st - July 26th, 2025. Requests received after that date will be placed on a waitlist and filled on a first come, first served basis if there are any extra backpacks available. 

We do not accept requests directly from parents/guardians. Please contact your child's social worker/case manager or school and ask them to contact us.

How can I help?

Host a supply drive personally or with your employer to collect the items listed below. Items that are solid, gender neutral colors with no characters on them are preferred since we do not know who will get each backpack. 

 

​Order supplies from our Amazon Wish List and have them delivered directly to 3Rs warehouse.

 

Financial contributions allow us to purchase school supplies in bulk. (Purchasing in bulk is usually cheaper than buying retail and allows us to ensure that every student who receives a backpack gets the same kind and quality of supplies as everyone else.)

 

We welcome coorperate volounteer groups to help unpack and sort supplies, pull stock from the warehouse in preparation for filling the backpacks, and to fill backpacks.  If your business or other group would like information about volunteering, please call 207-699-5565 or email Lisa at office@ruths.org

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Supplies needed for backpacks:

  • Full size, gender neutral backpacks

  • 1"- 3 Ring Binders 

  • ​12 count Crayola color pencils

  • 24 count Crayola crayons

  • Glue sticks 

  • 10-12 count markers (broad + thin styles) 

  • One subject notebooks 

  • Composition notebooks 

  • Pens 

  • Pencils 

  • Pencil sharpeners

  • Pencil cap erasers

  • Pocket folders 

  • 12" rulers 

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We simply could NOT do the work that we do without the groups of volunteers we have! 

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