Back to School Clothing Drive

For 55 years Back to School Clothing Drive has to helped eliminate the barriers to educational equality by providing new clothes, shoes, backpacks and school supplies to Arizona's low-income students.

Each year, Back to School Clothing Drive (BTSCD) gives 25,000 low-income students new clothes, shoes, backpacks, school supplies, and hygiene items so they can start the year full of excitement and confidence. Our support not only helps them today, it also greatly impacts their future. Studies on high-school dropout rates show that the feeling of not fitting in isn't just bad for self-esteem, it's also an indicator of future educational success. Dropout rates are lower among children who feel like they "belong" at school and who believe people care about their education.

BTSCD was formed in 1967 when a flood washed out the migrant camps along the Salt River. Two women, Lucy Allen and Selma Shefler, raised money to buy school clothes for 871 families. In 2022 we're celebrating 55 years of breaking down the barriers to educational equality! We serve children throughout Arizona with one of our five innovative programs. (Learn more at btscd.com/programs. )

Thank you for partnering with us to #ChangeEducationForGood!

Testimonials

These expressions of gratitude were taken from thank you notes sent to us by students we have helped:

"Thank you for giving us what we needed for school! I'm going to share my new clothes with my little brother so he can have new clothes too!" ~ Eduardo

"I've never been excited to go to school, but now I'm really excited! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I love you!" ~ Alyssa

"We're so happy to get new clothes. I love you for helping me. I feel good in my shoes. I've never had new clothes." ~ Khin & Luis