United Way’s Project Fresh Start provides necessary school supplies to students in Portage County who qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program. School supplies are collected by local businesses and community members throughout the summer and are distributed to area students in late August.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. 

Eligibility: 

If you have a child attending 4k- 12th grade at a Portage County School and your household qualifies for the free or reduced lunch program, you are eligible to receive free school supplies.

PLEASE NOTE- Students enrolled in Head Start or in the Almond-Bancroft School District do NOT need to register. School supplies will be given out directly by your school. Contact your school for more information.

Register by Mail

English Family & Letter Registration 2024

Hmong Family & Letter Registration 2024

Spanish Family & Letter Registration 2024

Please send completed, paper registration forms to the United Way office at 2801 Hoover Rd. Unit 2, Stevens Point, WI 54481

Ways to Give

In-Kind Donations: Sign up your organization to be a collection partner or drop off your donation to one of the public collection sites. Browse our Collection Partner Toolkit for more information.

Monetary Donations: Drop off or mail cash or checks to United Way of Portage County at 2801 Hoover Rd. Unit 2, Stevens Point, WI 54481. Make out checks to United Way of Portage County and add “Project Fresh Start” to the memo section. Donate online and add “Project Fresh Start” in the comments section.

Amazon Wishlist: Purchase items online from our curated 2024 Project Fresh Start Amazon Wishlist.

Drop-Off Locations: Collection Site List 

Volunteer

Volunteer for Project Fresh Start by helping us unload, organize, and pack school supplies. Volunteer opportunities will take place at PJ Jacobs Junior High School from August 12- 27. Group opportunities are available. 
Sign up to volunteer: Project Fresh Start Event Take Down volunteers needed. 
All other positions are FULL

Summer Sizzle

Join us for a FREE children’s event in the PJ Jacob’s cafeteria. The event will include story time, activities, snacks, and a FREE book to take home. Readings will take place at intervals throughout the Project Fresh Start event on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Summer Sizzle events are open to ALL and strive to promote the importance of reading during the summer months.

Find more information about our Summer Sizzle events here!