Empower a child with the confidence to learn!
Although the backpacks are packed, our work isn't quite finished. We still need help covering the $40,000 cost of the more than 90,000 school supplies that went into them by August 28th, 2026. We've raised $25,000; please help us raise the remainder so we can continue this work!
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Gear Up for School is a volunteer-driven community initiative dedicated to ensuring students have the essential school supplies they need to succeed. Founded in 2020, our mission is to empower students, families, and communities by providing equitable access to school supplies.
We serve students across New Hampshire, including those in foster care, low-income households, and military families. This initiative is led annually by the Hooksett Area, Manchester, and Queen City-Manchester Rotary Clubs in partnership with Granite United Way, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester Proud, and NH DCYF with support from Rotary International District 7870. Each year, our highly sought-after event welcomes 100+ volunteer who pack thousands of backpacks during a two-day event. We take pride in including student volunteers during our Set-up and Assembly Days, inspiring future community leaders.
Backpacks are customized by grade level, filled with carefully curated supplies designed in collaboration with Manchester Proud curriculum experts. By providing personalized supplies we ensure that students have the tools they need to succeed, easing financial burdens on families and strengthening our local community. Why Gear Up for School Matters?
Every $20 donated provides a student with a fully stocked backpack, ensuring they start the school year confident and prepared. Every backpack and supply makes a difference - A lack of school supplies shouldn't be a barrier to learning. By providing grade-level-curated backpacks, we ensure that students from foster care, low-income, and underserved communities can start the school year on an equal footing with their peers. When students have the tools they need, they feel more confident, prepared, and ready to learn, leading to better academic outcomes and long-term success. 📖✏️ Strengthening our Community - Gear Up for School is more than a school supply drive; it's a movement of generosity, volunteerism, and local impact. Our initiative is powered by hundreds of dedicated volunteers, from students to corporate teams, who come together each year to make a tangible difference. Businesses, organizations, and individuals all play a role in creating a stronger, more connected community by ensuring that every child has the tools they need to succeed. 🖍️📎 Supporting military families: Children of veterans and active-duty military families often face unique challenges, including relocations and additional stressors. By ensuring these students receive fully stocked backpacks, we honor their families' service while easing the transition into each school year. Backpack Distribution
Nearly all supplied backpacks are distributed directly by school district employees, town services, and NH's DCYF to children in need. Additionally, we work closely with a select group of non-profits affiliated with our partners and Patrons for Education, which distribute some of the supplied backpacks to the children they serve. We do this to prevent duplicate recipients and ensure that as many children who need a supplied backpack receive one. in 2025, volunteers loved having the opportunity to give out 500 supplied backpacks directly to children at the CelebratED resource fair, organized by Manchester Proud. The event focused on the Manchester School District, but all were welcome to receive resources. 
GUFS Backpack Recipients by Mary Ann Wells
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2026 Recipients! 2,050 to the Manchester, Hooksett, Allenstown, and Pembroke Schools, along with many other surrounding towns 820 to the NH's DHHS Foster Care Program 405 to NH Veteran and Family Resource Centers, The Pass Along Project, YMCA, Center for New Americans, Families in Transition, etc. 3,275 backpacks filled with over 90,000 school supplies total! Take Action: Support Students In Need
🛒 Purchase Supplies: You can support students by purchasing supplies from our bulk-buying list until 8/28. Every $20 of purchased items equates to 1 supplied backpack. All items are shipped to GUFS, and we're charged for any remaining items on the list at the end of the month. 🎒Donate: Every $20 donated = 1 child in need receiving a supplied backpack. This act of kindness gives them the school supplies and confidence to learn. Planning is already underway for the coming year!
Be a Patron for Education by leading a team drive or funding a supply.
👥 Lead a Drive: Host your own back-to-school drive and engage your team, organization, or community. Example Drive Here
🎓Donate (Underwrite Supplies): Fund the essential supplies placed into every backpack distributed through Gear Up for School.
Patrons for Education
Patrons' support puts supplies in children's hands and pride in their hearts by leading a team drive or funding a supply. 
Community Patrons!
ARCH Medical Solutions - Seabrook Aroma Joe's Clark Insurance by Marsh McLennan Agency Costco Delta Dental GE Aerospace Manchester Doubletree By Hilton New York Life Insurance Northwestern Mutual St. Mary's Bank Tree Care Industry Association Unbound Dance Studio WellSense Health Planning Become a Patron for Education (Business, Organization, & Individual)
Your company, organization, or yourself can sponsor Gear Up for School with a tax-deductible contribution and receive recognition while directly supporting local students! 📝 Patrons will receive advanced volunteer registration, ensuring priority access for a highly sought-after event that fills up yearly. Thank you to all who helped make it possible. We did it!
Now let's finish fundraising and prepare for next year. In 2025, 180+ Schools and Organizations Received Backpacks
82 Elementary Schools 49 Middle Schools 37 High Schools 15 Non-Profit & Government Organisations |
We want to thank our partnering organizations who make the magic happen behind the scenes!
Their commitment to education our youth drives Gear Up for School to achieve our goals.
Their commitment to education our youth drives Gear Up for School to achieve our goals.
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Together, we can make this our biggest and most impactful year yet!
Questions? What to get involved? Contact us at [email protected]
Questions? What to get involved? Contact us at [email protected]