GAP School Supply Drive 2025
It’s that time of year again! We invite you to join us in ensuring families in our Grandparents as Parents program have the supplies they need to be successful in the upcoming school year!
Who?
All donated supplies are provided to families in our Grandparents as Parents program. This program is for relative caregivers, often grandparents, that find themselves parenting again. Each child is given a backpack containing items in their school supply list for the year.
What?
The most needed items are listed below:
- 3-ring binders
- backpacks with computer compartments
- colored pencils
- composition notebooks
- crayons
- dry erase markers
- glue sticks
- headphones/earbuds
- highlighters
- pencil boxes
- pencil pouches
- pencils
- plastic folders
- red/green pens
- tissue boxes
- Ziploc bags
If you prefer to donate via cash, check, or gift card – Donations may be dropped off at the CAC Office on Aging located in the Ross Building (2247 Western Ave., Knoxville, TN 37921) anytime Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:45pm or mailed to PO Box 51650, Attn: GAP School Supply Drive, Knoxville, TN 37950.
If you prefer to donate online – Please visit https://www.knoxseniors.org/support-grandparents/ and enter “GAP School Supply Drive” in the comment section.
When?
This supply drive goes through the end of July.
Where?
Supplies may be dropped off at any of the following locations:
- CAC Office on Aging – 2247 Western Avenue
- Carter Senior Center – 9040 Asheville Highway
- Corryton Senior Center – 9331 Davis Drive
- Halls Senior Center – 4405 Crippen Road
- Karns Senior Center – 8042 Oak Ridge Highway
- O’Connor Senior Center – 611 Winona Street
- South Knoxville Senior Center – 6729 Martel Lane
- West Knox Senior Center – 239 Jamestown Boulevard, Suite 101
Why?
School supplies are expensive! The average cost of school supplies in Tennessee for the 2024-2025 school year is estimated to be around $875 per student, according to the National Retail Federation. This figure includes not just basic supplies but also clothing, shoes, and electronics. For K-12 students specifically, the National Retail Federation estimates around $141.62 for school supplies, $253.29 for clothing and accessories, and $309.35 for electronics.
Questions?
Please reach out to the Grandparents as Parents program at 865-524-2786 or email knoxooa@knoxseniors.org.