Running Start for School is United Way of Southeast Minnesota’s community-wide backpack and school supply drive designed to ensure every child has access to brand-new school supplies.
When students are equipped with the tools they need to learn and thrive in school- they are more confident, score better on tests, attend school more regularly, and are more likely to graduate on time.
Each year, United Way of Southeast Minnesota distributes thousands of backpacks to students in participating schools across the region. Our 2025 goal is to provide over 3,600 backpacks filled with school supplies to area students, and we need your help!
Volunteer Teams Needed
We are currently seeking teams of volunteers to help prepare backpacks for distribution mid-August. Volunteers assist with a variety of tasks, including: moving and unpacking boxes from our vendors, keeping count and checking over supplies, inserting informational materials, organizing backpacks by age group, sorting, packing, and labeling boxes for distribution to schools, and general cleanup and housekeeping.
This is a great opportunity for groups and teams to roll up their sleeves, work together, and learn more about the impact of United Way’s work in our community.
To prepare for your shift
- Please wear comfortable shoes because you will be standing on a concrete floor.
- Also, the workspace is warm, so please dress in light-weight, comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle.
- Please meet at United Way of Olmsted County (903 W Center St, Rochester, MN 55902). We will be working in the Pipsqueaks gym.
- Free parking is available on site.
- Complete our Volunteer Agreement before you arrive for your shift:
- If you prefer to turn in a physical copy, please print, sign, and return the Fillable PDF Volunteer Waiver or Viewable PDF Volunteer Agreement to Sonja via email or on arrival.
Please note: This work would not be possible without a variety of skill sets and abilities, and we welcome and value all our volunteers! United Way attempts to include a variety of activities during each shift to accommodate anyone and everyone who wants to participate- including those who prefer to work alone rather than in groups and those who may need to work from a seated position. Please rest assured that we will have volunteer activities for all those who would like to join us in support of this work!
For more information, contact our Impact Program Coordinator, Sonja Sommerfeldt at 507-535-5509 or sonjas@uwsemn.org
