Run a Drive | Staples for Students

The Staples for Students campaign has officially ended, but check out the tips below to rock a drive anytime during the year. And hey, it's never too early to start planning for next year...

  1. First things first: Do some research to find out what supplies are needed more in your local community.
  2. Get EVERYONE on board: You don't want to do this alone so recruit all your friends, your teammates, people in your classes, etc to help you out. Pull the guilt trip if you have to - hey, it's for a good cause!
  3. Get the "all clear": You don't want to get on anyone’s bad side, so first make sure that your principal, coach or teacher is okay with you running an awesome drive for charity.
  4. Make it Easy: People are more likely to help if they don't have to do much work, so offer to pick up the school supplies at their house or set up a school supplies collection bin in the front of your school or in the lunchroom. Make sure everyone knows what supplies you're looking for. Check out our list of the 11 most-needed supplies.
    1. Pens (blue, black and red)
    2. 3-ring Binders
    3. Box of Colored Pencils
    4. Loose-leaf Paper
    5. Book Covers
    6. Spiral Notebooks
    7. #2 Pencils
    8. Highlighters
    9. Index Cards
    10. Pocket Folders
    11. Box of Washable Markers
  5. Spread the word: Print flyers and use your creative energy to decorate the drop-off boxes. You can even put it on t-shirts, pants, whatever! The more people know, the more school supplies you'll get.
  6. Use your lungs: Ask if you can make an announcement over the PA system during morning announcements or use your big mouth during lunch. If school’s out, halftime of a basketball game or the 7th inning stretch during summer baseball are perfect times too!
  7. Document your drive: Take pics of all the school supplies you've collected and all the fun things you made for the drive. Upload your pics and you'll be featured on the StaplesForStudents.org website.
  8. Use the web: Are you on Facebook (our money's on "yes!")? Twitter account? Or maybe YouTube? Spread the word far and wide by updating your status, sending messages to friends, creating a Staples for Students Facebook event or even making a sweet video.
  9. Post your success: Officially end the drive by posting how many school supplies you collected and give special thanks to everyone who chipped in.
  10. Donate the Supplies: Check out our Store Locator on StaplesForStudents.org to find the closest Staples and donate your supplies.
  11. Report Back: Don't forget to let us know all about your success. Submit your drive on the Do Something Projects page at DoSomething.org/projects for the chance to win school supplies signed by the stars of ABC Family's Pretty Little Liars.
  12. Don't be afraid to ask! Questions about the campaign? Check out our FAQ section.