Back to School Drive & Distribution Event

How can I help?

Make a financial contribution so that we can fill in gaps and purchase what is most needed.
Donate school supplies!

You can purchase new school supplies from the list on this page and drop them off or purchase off of our Amazon Wish list.

Volunteer! More details here.
Help spread the word!

What is the Back to School Bonanza?

The COTS Back to School Bonanza is a free kid-centric community event where any Vermont student in need can come get ready for a successful school year in a dignified, stress-free, and fun environment. The goal is to foster confidence through picking out school supplies and a backpack, choosing first day of school outfits, getting a haircut, and so much more. It is set up like a carnival so that students can have fun while they get ready for a successful school year!

2025 Event:

Date: August 2nd, 2025. The rain date is the following Saturday.

Street parking only, as the event takes place in the COTS Parking lot at 95 North Ave in Burlington. Event runs from 12pm-3pm.

This event is while supplies last.

For K-12 Vermont students in need

We are SO excited to announce that we will have....

backpacks
school supplies
clothing
haircuts
tacos
snow cones
The Scoop ice cream truck
bounce house
face painting
magician
community partners: Lund, Feeding Champlain Valley

School supplies list:

Thank you for your support!

Children are often the unseen faces of homelessness, but they make up a large portion of people experiencing homelessness. In the 2022- 2023 school year, 1,620 students enrolled in VT public schools were homeless (State of VT Agency of Education/EHCY Program). In one night in 2024, 1,125 people experiencing homelessness had children in the household (2024 PIT count).

In 2015, COTS started the Back to School Drive to bring awareness to the children in our community experiencing homelessness, and to help them get the supplies they need to be successful in school. Each year since, the community helps us fill hundreds of backpacks with thousands of school supplies for us to distribute to families in shelters, motels, and to our nonprofit partners in the community who directly serve children.

In 2022 we wanted to serve students who are not necessarily connected to a service provider. We wanted to set them up for a successful year, both physically and emotionally. We wanted to maintain dignity. At a time in some of their lives where there isn’t a lot of choice, our goal was to let students be able to choose their own school supplies, pick out some clothing that starts them off on the right foot, and get haircuts to alleviate some of those first day jitters.

The Back to School Bonanza was born. A free community event where any Vermont students, grades K-12, who are in need can come de-stress and have fun while they pick out school supplies and a backpack as well as first day of school outfits. There was a bounce house, a face painter, haircutters, snow cones, tacos, live music, and more! CLiF, Fletcher Free Library, Lund, and Feeding Champlain Valley joined us. Haircuts and concession by Anna Izzo Hair, Rosemary, and Emily's Home Cooking.

2024 was the third year running. On August, 3rd, 2024, with your help we were able to provide 241 students with new backpacks and school supplies in a fun environment. Each student received a great abundance of supplies and a backpack to feel set for the school year. In addition to the 241 students day of, we were able to serve 36 students who work with COTS case workers, 25 and counting students in our doors the following days, and hundreds of students through partner agencies who pick up remaining supplies.