A student without supplies starts every day behind. In the Inland Empire, thousands of families cannot afford the full school supply list — and the cost of unpreparedness compounds across the entire school year.
Acts of Kindness FoundationFoundation-administered program
Back-to-School Boost
Backpacks, supplies, and confidence — so every student starts the school year ready to learn.
Program status
Payment links publish here once approved. This page is the public record for readiness, verification, and next support steps.
Acts of Kindness FoundationFoundation-administered program
Acts of Kindness FoundationFoundation-administered program
InitiativeSeasonal initiative
Back-to-School Boost
Backpacks, supplies, and confidence — so every student starts the school year ready to learn.
Foundation-administered support with verification standards and privacy-aware reporting.
Part ofEducation & Youth Access
A child without supplies starts every day behind.
Across the Inland Empire, families stretch every dollar between rent, groceries, and utilities — and the annual school supply list can feel like an impossible addition. When a student shows up without a backpack, without notebooks, without the basics, the gap isn’t just material — it’s emotional. The Back-to-School Boost fills that gap before the first day of school, distributing new backpacks and grade-specific supplies through verified school partners so every student walks into the classroom ready, confident, and equipped to learn.
About this program
The Back-to-School Boost is a seasonal initiative under the Foundation’s Education & Youth Access pillar. Each summer, the Foundation distributes new backpacks, grade-specific school supply kits, and learning essentials through verified school districts and education nonprofit partners across Riverside County. All supplies are purchased directly by the Foundation from approved vendors — no cash is distributed to families. Distribution is coordinated through school partnership agreements to ensure supplies reach students with the greatest documented need before the academic year begins. Assistance is not guaranteed and is subject to program capacity, available inventory, and verified need.
Our approach
How this program delivers
The Back-to-School Boost provides age-appropriate backpacks, grade-specific supply kits, and learning essentials through verified school district partners and education nonprofits — vendor-purchased, never cash, and delivered before the first bell rings.
Every backpack and supply kit is tracked from purchase to distribution. Supporters see exactly how their contributions equip students through the Foundation’s transparency reporting.
Who this program serves
- Students in Title I schools across Riverside County who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch programs
- Families unable to afford the full school supply list due to financial hardship or cost-of-living pressure
- Children entering new schools — including those in transitional housing or recently relocated families
- Students whose families experienced financial hardship over summer due to job loss, medical costs, or seasonal employment gaps
What support looks like
- Age-appropriate backpacks — new, durable, and sized for elementary, middle, and high school students
- Grade-specific supply kits including notebooks, folders, pencils, pens, rulers, calculators, and classroom essentials
- Technology essentials where needed — including headphones, USB drives, and basic learning tools coordinated with school partners
- Classroom resource support for high-need schools — bulk supplies provided directly to educators through district partnerships
How we verify need
- School district partnership agreements establishing eligibility criteria and distribution logistics
- Education nonprofit referrals within Riverside County’s youth services network
- Enrollment verification through partner schools to confirm student eligibility and grade-level needs
- Distribution reporting — item counts, school sites, grade levels served, and partner compliance documentation
How funds are delivered
Acts of Kindness Foundation administers all funds and supplies for the Back-to-School Boost with full discretion over allocation, purchasing, and distribution. The Foundation purchases all items directly from approved vendors and coordinates distribution exclusively through verified school district partners and education nonprofits. No cash is distributed to individuals or families. Assistance is subject to program capacity, available inventory, and verified need — this initiative does not constitute an entitlement or guarantee of service. All vendor purchases, distribution records, and partner compliance documentation are maintained and reported through the Foundation’s transparency page.
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Have questions?
What supporters ask
When does distribution happen?
The Back-to-School Boost distributes supplies in the weeks leading up to the start of the academic year, typically in July and August. Planning and fundraising begin in the spring to ensure supplies are purchased, assembled, and ready for distribution before the first day of school.
Which schools participate?
Distribution is coordinated through verified school district partners and education nonprofits across Riverside County, with priority given to Title I schools and communities with documented need. Specific partner schools are determined by district agreements and Foundation capacity.
Can parents request supplies directly?
Supplies are distributed through school partners, not directly to individual families. Families in need should connect with their school’s counselor or front office, who coordinates with Foundation distribution partners.
Can I donate supplies instead of money?
The Foundation purchases all supplies directly from vendors to ensure quality, grade-level accuracy, and accountability. Financial contributions allow us to purchase exactly what students need. If you have supplies to donate, we can connect you with local partner organizations that accept direct donations.
Is assistance guaranteed?
No. This is a charitable initiative, not an entitlement program. Assistance is based on verified need, school partner capacity, and available inventory. The Foundation exercises full discretion over all allocation and distribution decisions.
Program family Together with other work under Education & Youth Access.
Active in your community
Where this program is making a difference
Moreno Valley, CAMoreno Valley Education & Youth AccessSupplies, literacy, and learning support for Moreno Valley students.Learn more →
Riverside, CARiverside Education & Youth AccessSupplies, books, and learning support for students across Riverside Unified.Learn more →
Perris, CAPerris Education & Youth AccessLearning support for students across Val Verde Unified and Perris Union High School District.Learn more →
Initiatives under this program
Seasonal and specialized work
Seasonal initiativeSummer Literacy & Youth SupportBooks, reading programs, and learning support to keep students growing through the summer months.Learn more →
Specialized programStudent Tuition Assistance FundOpening educational doors through verified tuition support — paid directly to institutions, never to individuals.Learn more →
Looking for help?
If you or someone you know is facing a need that Back-to-School Boost addresses, our team can walk you through the intake process. Every request is reviewed with care.
Charitable disclosure
Acts of Kindness Foundation is a California public benefit foundation (nonprofit public benefit corporation). This program is administered as charitable assistance. Program and campaign descriptions communicate mission intent and public context, not donor-directed control over distributions. The Foundation retains full discretion over the use and distribution of funds, which may support charitable assistance, program delivery, verification, reporting, and related operations.
Acts of Kindness Foundation administers all funds and supplies for the Back-to-School Boost with full discretion over allocation, purchasing, and distribution. The Foundation purchases all items directly from approved vendors and coordinates distribution exclusively through verified school district partners and education nonprofits. No cash is distributed to individuals or families. Assistance is subject to program capacity, available inventory, and verified need — this initiative does not constitute an entitlement or guarantee of service. All vendor purchases, distribution records, and partner compliance documentation are maintained and reported through the Foundation’s transparency page.
All gifts on this site are made to Acts of Kindness Foundation and remain subject to the Foundation's exclusive control and discretion.
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