Back to School Essentials
The AUSTIN YES Back to Basics Project was founded in 2018, after our partner, SA YES received funding to expand their services to the Austin area. Since then, AUSTIN YES has distributed more than 18,500 school supply kits to elementary students in Del Valle ISD and AUSTIN ISD.
Since 1998, SA YES, CC YES and AUSTIN YES staff members, dedicated volunteers, Board members and sponsors have personally distributed more than 450,000 school supply kits to students and community groups in South Texas, making them the largest distributor of supplies for elementary students.
Each year, AUSTIN YES selects numerous Title 1 elementary schools in the Austin area and supplies every student (Kindergarten through 5th grade) with a free school supply kit.
Each school supply kits includes the following items: colored pencils, crayons, notebook paper, spiral notebook, big eraser, glue stick, folders with pockets, folders with pockets and brads, a ruler, pencils, ballpoint pens in black and red, and a box of tissues.
How are we continuing our services during COVID-19?
2020 proved to be a challenging year but we were not going to let COVID-19 stop our mission of getting free school supplies to selected schools in our communities. We worked closely with our vendor and the schools to have all school supply kits delivered in time for students to receive them. This was our first year not personally handing out supplies and although we were disappointed about this, it was best to ensure that students, teachers, and our staff remained safe.
As we continue to move forward in 2021, we will work closely with selected schools to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff.
We appreciate the continued support from our sponsors and individual donors who have enabled us to continue to support as many students as possible.
To learn more about SA YES, click here.
To learn more about CC YES, click here.
2021-2022 Back to Basics Project Form
This form is for organizations and schools that have received supplies for 3 consecutive years from AUSTIN YES.
2021-2022 Back to Basics Waitlist Form
This form is for organizations and schools that have not received supplies for 3 consecutive years from AUSTIN YES.
Looking to Donate Supplies?
Each year we raise funds through events and work with a supplier to get the best price possible for our school supply kits. We do not have the capacity to collect and/or store donated supplies, nor do we allow community members or organizations to collect supplies on behalf of Austin YES.
If you are looking to donate supplies, please reach out to one of the following organizations.
Communities in School (512) 462-1771
Central Texas Food Bank (512) 282-2111
Carrying Hope (backpack donations) info@carryinghope.com
To view previous “Distribution Days”, click each link below.
2019 Distribution Day
2018 Distribution Day
Thank you to our 2021 School Supply Sponsors!
