11th Annual Back to School Supply Giveaway

Aim

Help us send 1,300 Peekskill students back to school with a backpack full of supplies and the confidence to match.

Every child deserves to start the school year feeling confident, prepared, and ready to learn.

But for many families in Peekskill, the rising cost of school supplies has created real financial pressure. Backpacks, notebooks, pencils, folders, calculators, and classroom essentials quickly add up, leaving many parents struggling to provide everything their children need for a successful start to the school year. No child should have to walk into a classroom feeling unprepared or left behind.

Our Story

For the past 10 years, our annual Back-to-School Supply Giveaway has helped bridge that gap by providing local students with the tools they need to succeed. This initiative has become a meaningful tradition in our community — bringing together families, volunteers, educators, and community partners to support children and invest in their future.

My name is Tuesday Paige McDonald, and I have dedicated more than 30 years to youth development and community advocacy. I also served for 15 years on the Peekskill City School Board of Education, working to improve educational opportunities for students and families throughout our community.

In January 2026, I founded The Blue Resource Table, Inc. to expand our efforts and respond to the growing needs of underserved youth and families. Our mission is simple: every child deserves equal access to educational resources and the opportunity to succeed, regardless of financial circumstances.

This year, we are preparing for our 11th Annual Back-to-School Supply Giveaway, with a goal of supporting 1,300 students across our community. With your help, we can provide children with backpacks filled with age-appropriate school supplies so they can begin the school year with confidence, dignity, and excitement.

How Your Donation Helps

• $15.00 provides school supplies for one student
• $30.00 helps provide a fully stocked backpack
• $100.00 supports multiple children and families in need

Funds raised through this campaign will help purchase:

• Backpacks
• Notebooks and folders
• Pens, pencils, and markers
• Calculators and classroom essentials
• Age-appropriate school supplies for elementary, middle, and high school students

Why We Need Your Help Now

School supply costs continue to rise, and many families in our community are facing difficult financial decisions. Our goal is to ensure that every child who attends our giveaway leaves prepared and excited for the new school year — but we cannot do it alone.

• Current increase in demand due to family financial challenges
• We have already received requests from over 300 families
• Rising supply costs, with  expenses increasing by over 20% compared to last year
• The deadline for purchasing supplies is July 6 2026, to ensure we can take advantage of bulk ordering and meet our distribution date of August 20, 2026.

Over the years, we have seen firsthand how something as simple as a new backpack and school supplies can boost a child’s confidence and help families feel supported by their community. Together, we can make sure students walk into school feeling proud, prepared, and ready to succeed.

Last year at our supply giveaway, I met Mia, a bright fifth-grader, and her mother, who quietly shared their struggles to make ends meet. When we handed Mia a backpack filled with school supplies, her mother's eyes filled with tears, while Mia could not hold her excitement.  Mia's mom expressed how this support meant Mia could start school with confidence and have a great school year.

Thank you for supporting our children, our families, and our community. Every donation — no matter the size — helps make a meaningful difference in the life of a student.

Together, we can help 1,300 children start the school year equipped for success.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 1st August 2026 at 12:00pm CDT