According to the U.S. Census Bureau: Census 2000, there are over 121,000 Minnesota children living at or below the poverty level and are not able to indulge in the back-to-school shopping tradition.  For those students and families, they rely on The Caring Tree, which creates a way for individuals and companies to collect new back-to-school supplies and funds for low-income, K-12 students in Minnesota communities.  We are proud to say that since our inception in 1993, we have assisted over 183,000 students enjoy a better start to their school year, thanks to The Caring Tree.

The Caring Tree is able to maximize all financial contributions. The Caring Tree can send a child back to school fully equipped with a backpack containing 30 necessary school supplies for $20 per child. With this being said, The Caring Tree can maximize contribution dollars and nearly triple the amount of children served compared to supplies purchased at cost or full retail.  Below you will find the list of supplies by school age that The Caring Tree is able to purchase at our $20 per unit.  In addition, you will see what the retail cost is for these exact same items. The Caring Tree program believes in assisting as many low-income children as possible by maximizing our donor financial contributions, which then allow us to leverage the number of children we can serve.

EXAMPLE of The Caring Tree prepackaged backpacks:

Elementary
Qty.  Component Description
1       Book, Hard Cover, “Illustrated Classics”
3       Folders, 2 Pocket, Assorted Colors
2       Spiral Notebooks, 70 Ct., Wide Rule
1       Glue, School, Washable, 4oz, White
3       Glue Sticks, Dries Clear, .28 oz
3       Pen, Medium Pt., Blue
3       Pen, Medium Pt., Red
1       Filler Paper, Wide Rule, 10.5 x 8, 100/Pk
2       Eraser, Pink, Large
1       Crayola Crayons, Tuck Box, 24/Bx
1       Pencils, #2, All Wood, dozen
1       Facial Tissue, 2 Ply, 100 count
1       Scissors, 5 ¼”, Pointed Tip
1       Ruler, Plastic, 12”, Inches & Metric, Asst
1       Markers, 8 count, Washable, Wide
1       Colored Pencils, 12 ct., 7”
1       Highlighter, Chisel Tip, Yellow
1       Sharpener, Pencil, Barrel, Canister
1       Pencil Case, Heavy-Duty, with zipper
1       Backpack
30 Items = $20

Junior/Senior High
Qty.  Component Description*
1       Book, Hard Cover, “Illustrated Classics”
3       Folders, 2 Pocket, Asst Colors
2       Spiral Notebooks, 70 Ct., College Rule
1       Glue, School, Washable, 4oz, White
1       Glue Stick, Dries Clear, .28oz
3       Pen, Medium Pt., Black or Blue
3       Pen, Medium Pt., Red
1       Filler Paper, Wide Rule, 10.5 x 8, 100/Pk
2       Eraser, Pink, Large
1       Pencils, #2, All Wood, dozen
1       Facial Tissue, 2 Ply, 100 count
1       Scissors, 5 ¼”, Pointed Tip
1       Ruler, Plastic, 12”, Inches & Metric, Asst.
1       Colored Pencils, 12 ct., 7”
1       Sharpener, Pencil, Double Barrel, Canister
2       Highlighter, Student Size, Yellow or Pink
1       Dictionary, Webster’s, Pocket
1       Calculator, Solar Power, Large Display
1       Pencil Case, Heavy-Duty, with zipper
1       Protractor, Plastic, Transp., 6", 180 Degrees
1       Backpack
30 Items = $20

COST ANALYSIS

The Caring Tree prepackaged backpacks:
          Elementary or Junior/Senior High:  $20/prepackaged backpack

Full retail price of each item in package above including backpacks:
               Elementary: $60.96      Junior/Senior High: $70.85 

The Caring Tree can assist nearly three times as many children as an organization that purchases supplies at cost or full retail.

If making a financial contribution, please write your check to The Caring Tree. The Caring Tree is a tax-exempt organization as described in Sections 501(c)3 and 509(a)1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.