United Way volunteers to pack 10,000 school supply kits for local students

Who: United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania staff and volunteers; Wendy Koch, senior director of regional engagement, United Way. 

What: On Aug. 11, 12 and 13, around 200 volunteers will help pack 10,000 school supply kits during United Way’s annual Tools for Schools event. Kits are designed for students in grades K-2 and include folders, pencils, markers, pencil sharpeners, erasers, scissors, crayons, glue sticks and a pencil case. Elementary schools and school districts across United Way’s five-county region will pick up the kits on Aug. 13 to distribute to students. This year’s Tools for Schools event is made possible by United Way partners NOG, Highmark Health and S&T Bank.  

Where: World Vision, 210 Overlook Drive, Sewickley, PA 15143. 

When: Media are invited to attend on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, between 12 and 12:30 p.m.   

Why: United Way is committed to connecting young people in our region with opportunities to succeed and fulfill their potential. Providing students with high-quality school supplies is one way to help them feel confident, excited and prepared for school. Since 2020, and including this year’s event, United Way will have provided school supply kits to more than 66,000 students through Tools for Schools.  

In addition to organizing high-impact volunteer events, United Way provides ongoing funding and needs-based grants to local education-focused agencies. In 2026-2027, United Way will invest $1.7 million in 47 local agencies working to level the playing field for students from pre-K to high school and beyond. In addition, United Way’s rapid response Beyond the Classroom grant program has provided 43 grants totaling $636,750 to regional out-of-school time programs to address unexpected needs.