SPUR Student Success Drive FAQ
WHAT IS THE SPUR STUDENT SUCCESS DRIVE?
This drive provides new backpacks & school essentials to children in Lynn, Marblehead, Salem, and Swampscott who wouldn't otherwise have them on the first day of school.
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HOW ARE CHILDREN SELECTED TO RECEIVE BACKPACKS?
Working closely with professionals who are familiar with the children’s and families' needs, local school counselors, food pantry directors, social workers, and other social service providers submit requests for children who are faced with the reality of beginning the year without the required supplies needed for school.
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HOW CAN I HELP?
Sponsor a backpack and school supplies. Using your donation, we purchase the supplies wholesale. Opportunities are available to help us fill each backpack and write personalized notes to each child beginning August 1. Service providers will then pick up the backpacks filled with supplies and distribute them before the first day of school.
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OPTIONS TO SPONSOR A STUDENT ARE:
Purchase a backpack and supplies for a 9th - 12th grader
Purchase a backpack and supplies for a 7th - 8th grader
Purchase a backpack and supplies for a 4th - 6th grader
Purchase a backpack and supplies for a 2nd - 3rd grader
Purchase a backpack and supplies for a K - 1st grader
Purchase school supplies
Purchase a backpack
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HOW ELSE CAN I SUPPORT THIS DRIVE?
SHARE our FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM posts, and spread the word about our organization to your friends, family, and colleagues. Spreading the word is an essential part of ensuring the Drive is a success!
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I WOULD LIKE TO HELP BUT CAN’T COMMIT TO SPONSORING AN ENTIRE BACKPACK. CAN I STILL HELP?
Most definitely! We understand everyone's financial ability to give varies and want to say that your involvement, on any level, has a huge impact. If you cannot commit to sponsoring an entire backpack, consider making a tax-deductible MONETARY DONATION to SPUR so that we may purchase items as needed for the drive.
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I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO THE AREA WHERE IT IS MOST NEEDED. HOW CAN I MAKE A GIFT?
You can make a donation in any amount on our SPONSORSHIP FORM and indicate that you would like it to go to the area of highest need. This helps us make sure every student has the tools they need to learn on the first day of school.
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CAN A GROUP OR OFFICE SPONSOR A BACKPACK(S)?
Sponsoring backpacks can be a great team-building activity. Consider encouraging your workplace, social circle, classroom, sports team, school club, or other groups to team up and sponsor one or more backpacks.
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WHAT SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS DOES SPUR SUPPORT THROUGH THE DRIVE?
SPUR provides support to students at 18 partner agencies, including Anchor Food Pantry, Brown School, Centerboard, Children Friend Family Services, Connery School, Evergreen Community Services, Ford School, Girls Inc, Glover School, Lifescene, Marblehead Community Charter Public School, Marblehead High School, Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, Salem Academy, Swampscott Public Schools, Veterans Middle School, and Village School.
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CAN I RECEIVE A TAX RECEIPT FOR MY DONATION?
SPUR, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that complies with IRS regulations. If you sponsor a backpack or make a monetary donation a tax statement will be provided in January of 2026.
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WHAT DOES EACH STUDENT RECEIVE?
We have worked closely with teachers and students to determine what supplies are needed for the school year. Please see the entire list for each of the 6 groups below:
K-1ST GRADE SUPPLIES
#2 Pencils (Pkg of 12)
2 Glue sticks
2 Marble Composition Notebooks (Wide Ruled)
2 Pocket Folders (w/o Prongs)
Construction Paper
Crayola Crayons (24 ct)
Glue (4 oz bottle)
Crayola Washable Markers
Pencil Box
Pencil Sharpener
Pencil Top Erasers
Pink Eraser
Ruler
Safety scissors
Watercolor paint
2ND-3RD GRADE SUPPLIES
#2 Pencils (Pkg of 12)
2 Glue sticks
2 Marble Composition Notebooks (Wide Ruled)
2 Pocket Folders (w/o Prongs)
Crayola Crayons (24 ct)
Glue (4 oz bottle)
Crayola Washable Markers
Pencil Box
Pencil Sharpener
Pencil Top Erasers
Pink Eraser
Ruler
Safety scissors
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4TH-6TH GRADE SUPPLIES
#2 Pencils (Pkg of 12)
2 Glue Sticks
2 Marble Composition Notebooks (Wide Ruled)
2 pkg Filler Paper (Wide Ruled)
2 pkg Index Cards
2 pkg Post-it Notes
2 Pocket Folders (w/ Prongs)
2 Pocket Folders (w/o Prongs)
4 Black Pens
4 Blue Pens
5" Pointed Scissors
Crayola Colored Pencils (12 ct)
Glue (4 oz Bottle)
Highlighter
Pencil Box
Pencil Sharpener
Pencil Top Erasers (10-pack)
Pink Eraser
Ruler
Three Subject Spiral Notebook (Wide Ruled)
Three-ring Binder (1.5 in)
Zippered Pencil Pouch
7TH-8TH GRADE SUPPLIES
#2 Pencils (Pkg of 12)
2 Highlighters
2 Marble Composition Notebooks (Wide Ruled)
2 pkg Filler Paper (Wide Ruled)
2 pkg Index Cards
2 Pocket Folders (w/ Prongs)
2 Pocket Folders (w/o Prongs)
4 Black Pens
4 Blue Pens
Crayola Colored Pencils (12 ct)
Five-Subject Spiral Notebook (Wide Ruled)
Pencil sharpener
Pencil Top Erasers (10-pack)
Post-it Notes
Sharp-tip Scissors (7")
Three-ring Binder (2 in)
Zippered Pencil Pouch
9TH-12TH GRADE SUPPLIES
#2 Pencils (Pkg of 12)
2 pkg Filler paper (College Ruled)
2 Highlighters
2 Marble Composition Notebooks (College Ruled)
2 One-Subject Spiral Notebooks (College Ruled)
2 pkg Index Cards
2 pkg Post-it Notes
2 Pocket Folders (w/ Prongs)
2 Pocket Folders (w/o Prongs)
3-Ring Five-Subject Dividers
4 Black Pens
4 Blue Pens
Five-Subject Spiral Notebook (College Ruled)
Pencil Sharpener
Pencil Top Erasers (10-pack)
Ruler
Scientific Calculator
Three-ring Binder (2 in)
Zippered Pencil Pouch
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