Skip To Main Content

Switchboard:

Switchboard:

Donation Drives

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is proud to have supportive community members and partners who provide backpacks, school supplies, winter coats, mittens, and other important items for our students.
 
Donating items to support MPS students is easy! There are two ways to help:
 
  1. Shop at your favorite stores and drop off items at MPS Central Services.
  2. Make a monetary donation to be used to purchase items. You can donate $25, $50, $100, $500, or any amount of your choice.
Please follow these instructions for monetary gifts:
  • Make your check payable to MPS Foundation / SPCS.
  • Include the relevant drive in the memo line: Mitten Drive OR School Supply Drive
  • Mail your check to MPS.
Mailing and Shipping Address

Milwaukee Public Schools
5225 W Vliet St. | Room 131
Milwaukee, WI 53208

Annual Drives

MPS Mitten Tree Drive (November 1–January 31)


For more than 10 years, Central Services staff and Milwaukee community members have donated thousands of winter accessories to keep MPS students warm during our cold Wisconsin winters. You can help by donating winter items for students of all ages.

Requested Items

  • Boots
  • Coats (child or adult sizes)
  • Gloves or mittens
  • Hats
  • Hoodies or fleeces
  • Scarves
  • Socks

Delivery Instructions

Small donations (a grocery bag or less) can be made at MPS Central Services. For large donations, please call (414) 475-8062 to coordinate delivery. Thank you in advance for helping our students stay warm this winter!

MPS Back-to-School Supply Drive (June 1–September 30)

Help students succeed in the new school year by supporting the MPS Back-to-School Supply Drive. Milwaukee businesses, faith-based organizations, and community members are invited to collect school supplies for MPS students annually.

This year, we’re looking for: 

Elementary Backpack Request

(2) Spiral Notebooks
(2) Pocket Folders
Wide-Rule Looseleaf Paper
Crayons (24 count)
Washable Markers (8 count)
No. 2 Pencils
(2) Pink Rectangular Erasers or Pack of Pencil Top Erasers
(2) Glue Sticks
(1) Highlighter
Scissors
Ruler
Supply Pouch

Middle and High School Backpack Request

(3) Spiral Notebooks
(3) Pocket Folders
(1) One-Inch Binder
College-Ruled Looseleaf Paper
Colored Pencils
No. 2 Pencils
(2) Black or Blue Pens & (2) Red Pens
(2) Pink Rectangular Erasers or Pack of Pencil Top Erasers
(2) Highlighters
Supply Pouch
Scientific Calculator

You can donate a filled backpack or donate listed supplies in any quantity. 
 

Other Drives

If you or your organization would like to host a drive for our students, follow these steps:

  1. Contact the Department of Strategic Partnerships and Customer Service via the Partnership Interest Form. Let us know that you're interested in hosting a drive for MPS students.
  2. MPS staff will connect you with the school you would like your donation to go to, or our staff can match you with a school or classroom where your donation is needed.
  3. MPS staff will work with you or your organization to arrange a time to drop off items.
  4. For school supplies, please review the school supply list to determine what our students need and decide what your drive will focus on. It is recommended that arrangements are made to have the supplies delivered before the first day of school.

Please contact the Department of Strategic Partnerships and Customer Service at partners@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or (414) 475-8285 if you have any questions about how to get involved.