SERVE at Home is a way for your family to spread kindness and help our community on your own, anytime, anywhere! We want to keep Austin volunteering all week long!

For this activity, you will work with your family at home to pack a backpack for Foundation Communities' Back-to-School Drive! The backpacks will support students in need, from elementary through high school, as they head back to school.

Don’t forget to take a picture for your SERVE at Home form to capture the moment and inspire others to get involved!

This SERVE at Home has a firm drop-off deadline: July 24th.

Activity Directions

Pack a new, appropriately sized backpack for either an elementary student or a teen using the supplies from the corresponding lists below. This example is provided as a reference only, and any new backpack of an appropriate size and quality is appreciated.

K-5 (Elementary) Supply list:

• 1 Backpack per child (ages 5 to 11) female, male or gender neutral
  • Size: 14-17 inches/13-18 liters
  • Features: padded shoulder straps and durable material

• 1 supply box (cigar type)
• 24 pencils, No. 2
• 1 box of 24 Crayons
• 2 boxes of markers (1 box of 12 fine line and 1 box of 12 broad line)
• 1 pair of scissors, rounded point only
• 2 wire bound, wide rule notebooks
• 2 composition books (wide ruled)
• 1 block eraser
• 2 packs of loose-leaf notebook paper (wide ruled)
• 1 one-inch binder
• 1 pack of 12 black ballpoint pens
• 1, 12-inch ruler
• 1 pack of 6 dividers for binders
• 1 pack 12 colored pencils
• 4 plastic pocket folders with prongs
• 1 pack of Ziploc bags quart sized
• 1 pack of dry erase markers
• 1 travel sized bottle of hand sanitizer

6-12 (Teen) Supply list:

• 1 backpack per child (gender neutral color or clear)
  • Size: 17-20 inches / 24-30+ liters
  • Features: Durable material and multiple compartments
  • Clear backpacks should be 100% clear plastics (no colored tints or frosted plastic)

• 1 supply pouch (fabric type w/zipper; gender neutral color)
• 24 pencils, No. 2
• 1 pack of pencil eraser tops
• 3 packs of ballpoint pens, one of each color: blue, red, black
• 1 pack of highlighters
• 2 wire bound notebooks wide ruled
• 2 wire bound notebooks college ruled
• 1 pack of sticky notes
• 1 pack of index cards
• 1 travel sized bottle of hand sanitizer
• 1 pack of scotch tape
• 2 packs of loose-leaf notebook paper (college ruled)
• 2 one-inch binders
• 1 pack of travel size facial tissues
• 1, 12-inch ruler
• 1 pack of 8 dividers for binders
• 1 pack 12 colored pencils
• 1 pencil sharpener (travel size)
• 4 plastic pocket folders with prongs (any colors)

When finished, please attach a label to the handle of each backpack with the age group. You may use tape wrapped around the handle if you do not have labels. Post-it notes and paper labels tend to fall off, so please ensure the label stays on!

You can purchase supplies for and make as many backpacks as your family is able to donate. We recommend making 1 backpack, but any amount you can put together is appreciated.

This SERVE at Home has a firm drop-off deadline: July 24th.

Drop-Off Instructions

Drop off of pre-filled backpacks:

Date: Friday, July 24th
Time: 9am-1pm
Location: Prosper South
2900 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78704

Alternative drop off date:

Date: Thursday, July 23rd
Time: 9am-5pm
Location: Mission Plaza
3000 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Ste 300, Austin, TX 78704

If the above dates and times do not work, please contact Aly Bernard at 512-610-7967 to coordinate a weekend drop off.

Activity Requirements

• This activity is great for all ages!
• This activity is a part of our Family Volunteering program and designed to be a family experience. At least two family members, including at least one adult, are required to work alongside each other for these activities and experience volunteerism together.

SERVE at Home Activity Format Information

Our SERVE at Home activities are a way for your family to spread kindness and help our community at a time that suits your busy schedule! If you are new to this format of service, be sure to read all the details in the link before you RSVP. SERVE at Home activities are usually listed on our calendar at the end of each month, and they should be completed at your family's convenience during that month unless a more specific deadline is outlined in the activity requirements.

Once your family gets started, be sure to take pictures as your family works together on this project so we can certify your submission when you are done. The photos submitted should clearly demonstrate all volunteer’s engagement in the specified SERVE at Home activity and should not be reused at any time.

After you RSVP, we will send you a confirmation email that includes a link to our SERVE at Home form for submission of the photos and information needed to cerifty that your family has completed this activity. This form must be submitted within 7 days of this calendar listing to earn service hours credit in our system, and submissions received after the deadline will not be accepted. SERVE at Home hours are entered manually and often take to 2-3 weeks for process.

More About Our Partner

Foundation Communities is a local, homegrown nonprofit. They provide affordable, attractive home and free on-site support services for thousands of families with kids, as well as veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. They offer an innovative, proven model that empowers their residents and neighbors to achieve educational success, financial stability, and healthier lifestyles.