HonorHealth Desert Mission’s Back to School Program

2025 Back to School Drive: We did it!

1,377 filled backpacks

1,700 pounds of donated supplies

$1,655 for supply purchases

Thanks to you, 1,377 students will walk into school this fall ready to learn, confident in themselves, and supported by their community. To everyone who donated, shared, volunteered, or cheered us on— thank you!

Still hoping to support our program?  

HonorHealth Desert Mission is a qualifying charitable organization. Visit our donation page to make a contribution today to help us fund our Back to School supplies. Thank you for your support!

Program & Drive Information

Every child deserves equal opportunity and access to a quality education. By participating, you are ensuring children in our community have access to school supplies to set them up for success once school begins.

Did you know? Educators reported that when children have access to free school supplies, they experience a(n):

• 91%: Increase in preparedness
• 83%: Significant increase in participation
• 78%: Significant increase in student self-esteem
  (As reported by the Kids in Need Foundation)
  

Ways to participate:

1. Find a collection bin near you

   • Make sure to drop off your items before the bin’s scheduled pick-up date (see location and pick-up schedule below)

2. Set up a collection drive at your organization/business or in your department

   • Use any type of bin or box for collecting school supplies
   • Download our flyer in the “Quick Links” section to stick on your collection bins/boxes
   • Distribute flyers to your teammates or members in your community
   • Take tons of photos once your drive is complete – we’d love to see them! Tag us on @honorhealthaz or email ktoscas@honorhealth.com
   • Drop off donated items no later than Tuesday, July 1 (see details below)

3. Donate to support our program

4. Spread the word!

   • Tag your Back-to-School Drive crew @honorhealthaz
   • Download & share our flyers in the “Quick Links” section above

Most needed school supplies:

• Backpacks
• Zippered binders
• Colored pencils
• Crayons (24-pack, classic color)
• Washable markers
• Folders (laminated or plastic)
• Glue sticks
• Pencil pouches
• Rulers (12-inch)
• Assorted color 3-ring pencil pouches
• Single subject spiral notebooks (college or wide ruled)
• 5-inch blunt or pointed tip scissors

Drop-off locations and details:

Dropping off donations at Desert Mission Food Bank

Back to School donations can be dropped off at Desert Mission Food Bank (9229 N 4th St., Phoenix) during our hours of operation.

Please pull into the loading area to the left of the food bank entrance. Ring the doorbell and our friendly staff or volunteers will assist you.

Donation bin locations & schedule  

• Collection bins will be placed at the locations below by June 1.

Please ensure donations are brought to the bins prior to the date listed below to make sure they are included with our final pick-up. If you’d like to make a donation after our scheduled pick-up dates, please drop them off at Desert Mission Food Bank during our hours of operation (see details above).

Have a large pick-up? If your organization has collected a large number of items and you are in need of a truck pick-up, please contact Krystina Toscas at ktoscas@honorhealth.com for more information.

Quick Links:

Support Our Program

Donate today!

Flyer

[Download Our Flyer]

Summertime Resources to Share

Free Summer Meals for Kids

Kids’ Physical and Mental Health

Mindfulness for Kids: A Simple Guide to Getting Started

Nutrition Assistance Programs for Eligible Participants

AZ Health Zone Summer Food Resources