Clothing and School Supply Donations Needed for Lake County’s 2026–2027 Back-to-School Bash
Mentor, OH (April 13, 2026) – As the 2025-2026 academic year comes to a close, organizers of Lake County’s annual Back-to-School Bash (BTSB) are preparing for this year’s 2026-2027 initiative and are in need of clothing and school supply donations.
The BTSB provides a wide range of free services, clothes, and school supplies to Lake County families in need.
United Way of Lake County (UWLC) is coordinating the event for the first time in collaboration with a large host of partners. Previously, the Lake County Family and Children First Council organized the event, with The Salvation Army leading the school supply donation drive and distribution. For the past two years, UWLC coordinated the clothing drive, and will continue to manage this along with distribution of the clothes, while the Salvation Army will continue to lead collection and distribution of school supplies.
According to UWLC President and CEO Dione DeMitro, “School readiness isn’t simply reading at grade level or recognizing your letters and numbers. For many kids, school readiness means feeling prepared with the right tools. Many of us take for granted the excitement of returning to school with a backpack filled with new school supplies and new outfits.”
Clothing Donations
UWLC needs donations that include new socks, underwear, and new and gently used clothing and outerwear in all sizes for children aged 0-18.
Clothing donations can be dropped off to United Way of Lake County at 9285 Progress Parkway in Mentor, anytime Monday – Thursday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm and Friday 8:30 am – 12:00 pm.
School Supply Donations
The Salvation Army of Lake County is in need of school supplies which include backpacks, 1-inch 3-ring binders, blue and black pens, 12-pack colored pencils, 24-pack crayons, dry erase markers, glue sticks, highlighters, index cards, large pink erasers, pencil pouches, pencils, pocket folders with prongs, children’s pointed scissors, supply boxes, washable markers, wide rule loose leaf paper, wide rule notebooks, wide rule composition notebooks, and Post-It notes.
School supply donations can be dropped off at The Salvation Army, 69 Pearl St. in Painesville. To arrange for a drop-off time, call 440-357-2008.
For convenience purposes, both United Way of Lake County and The Salvation Army are also accepting donations of both clothes and school supplies.
Monetary Donations
Online: Both UWLC and The Salvation Army are accepting monetary donations for the purchase of needed clothing and school supplies as well. Donations for either can be made online at uwlc.org/BTSB.
By Mail: Both are also accepting checks. Those wishing to donate funds for the purchase of clothes should make checks payable to United Way of Lake County and mail these to 9285 Progress Pkwy., Mentor, OH 44060, ATT: BTSB.
Those wishing to donate funds for the purchase of school supplies should make checks payable to The Salvation Army of Lake County and mail these to 69 Pearl St., Painesville, OH, 44077, ATT: BTSB.
Both organizations are accepting donations through July 27, 2026.
Volunteers
Volunteers are also needed to help sort out donations in preparation for the event and to work at the event. Those interested in volunteering to help sort clothes and/or volunteer at the pop-up clothing shop can learn more by visiting uwlc.org/BTSB or by contacting Jen Smyser at jsmyser@uwlc.org. Those interested in volunteering to help sort school supplies and/or volunteer at the BTSB school supply distribution center can learn more by contacting Donna Bullis at 440-357-2008.
BTSB Event Details
The Back-to-School Bash will take place on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Harvey High School, located at 200 W. Walnut Ave. in Painesville. Families are welcome to attend anytime between 9 am to 1 pm. School supplies and clothing will be available for free while supplies last, and services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Access to all of the following will be available for free: backpacks filled with school supplies, clothing and outerwear, haircuts, vision screenings, dental services, hearing screenings, family photos, community resources, and Immunizations for those from 4 to 18 years of age with advance registration, which can be made online at uwlc.org/BTSB.
Partners
Partners include Altered Church, Chick-fil-A (Mentor), Hynes Industries, LaBarberia Institute of Hair, Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa, Lake County ADAMHS Board, Lake County Free Clinic, Lake County General Health District, Lake County Job and Family Services, Little Scholars Early Learning Center, Northeast Ohio Dental Hygienists Association, Our Future Reuse, Painesville City Local Schools, Painesville Lions Club, PropNPose, Salvation Army Corps Community Center, Signature Health, Sounds of Life Hearing, The City of Painesville, Trinity Church, and United Way of Lake County.
DeMitro further commented that this project is a powerful example of how impact is magnified through collaboration. We are grateful to be able to coordinate this year’s event and even more grateful to all of the many partners who make the Back-to-School Bash possible for those in need.
“We are especially thankful to Painesville City Schools for hosting the event again this year.”