Helping our local education landscape never goes out of style.
Credit: BrightStar Credit Union
For thousands of Broward County students, a backpack stocked with school supplies can make all the difference on the first day of school. Last year's Broward Education Foundation school supply drive reached more than 130,000 students across 195 schools while also supporting 12,000 teachers, making it the county's largest back-to-school drive.
Now, the community effort is back for the 2026-2027 school year, and organizers are asking residents to pitch in once again.
Running through Aug. 31 and among the various donation sites, BrightStar Credit Union has partnered with Broward Education Foundation as an official collection site, with eight branches throughout Broward County accepting donations of essential classroom supplies. The BrightStar branches are in Cooper City, Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Hollywood, Lauderhill, Margate, Pembroke Pines and Pompano Beach, all serving as drop-off locations through the end of August.
Requested items include backpacks, black composition books, two-pocket folders, glue sticks, pens, pencils, crayons, pencil pouches and other everyday classroom necessities.
If shopping isn't on your to-do list, there's another easy way to contribute. Donations can also be made through the Foundation's virtual school supply drive, where $25 provides one student with a backpack filled with supplies, $100 helps equip a teacher with classroom resources and $250 supplies an entire classroom with art materials.
