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.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

To register, click the link below!

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 by clicking on a registration letter below. 

English Family & Letter Registration 2026

Hmong Family & Letter Registration 2026

Spanish Family & Letter Registration 2026

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 2026 Project Fresh Start Amazon Wishlist.

Drop-Off Locations: 2026 Drop-Off Locations Coming Soon!

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 11- 15. Group opportunities are available. 

Project Fresh Start 2026 Volunteer Opportunities:

Intake Volunteers

Backpack Packers

Event Set-Up

Supply Distribution

Event Take-Down

Sign Up to Volunteer: United Way of Portage County Volunteer Center