For a family stretching every dollar to cover rent, groceries and utilities, a full school supply list can turn into an unexpected line item that is hard to absorb all at once. Notebooks, folders, glue sticks and a fresh set of markers add up quickly, and for some Long Island households that cost lands at the worst possible time of year. The YMCA of Long Island is stepping in with a simple way for neighbors to help close that gap.

The organization's 2026 Back to School Supply Drive is underway now and runs through August 28, 2026. Donation boxes are set up in the lobbies of four YMCA of Long Island branches, making it easy for residents across both counties to drop off supplies close to home.

Those four branches, Bay Shore, Glen Cove, Huntington and Patchogue, give the drive a footprint that stretches from the North Shore to the South Shore and reaches into both Nassau and Suffolk counties. Whether someone lives near the harbor in Glen Cove or closer to the South Shore in Patchogue, there is a collection box within reach.

The YMCA of Long Island says the goal behind the drive is straightforward. "We are collecting back-to-school supplies to help families in need prepare for the school year," the organization said.

Anyone looking to donate can drop off items on the following list at any of the four participating branches:

  • Pencils
  • Highlighters
  • Notebooks
  • Pens
  • Markers
  • 24-pack crayons
  • Folders
  • Glue sticks
  • Wired headphones
  • Erasers
  • Scissors
  • 3-ring binders
  • Rulers and protractors
  • Pencil cases
  • Sticky notes
  • Paper clips

The list covers the basics that show up on nearly every classroom supply sheet, from the small items like paper clips and erasers to bigger-ticket needs like binders and headphones. Donors do not need to fill an entire list on their own. Even a single box of crayons or a pack of pencils dropped in a lobby bin adds to what the YMCA can distribute to local families before the first day of school.

With the deadline set for August 28, 2026, organizers are hoping to collect and distribute supplies with enough time for families to have what they need before classes start. That gives Long Islanders a little more than a month to gather items from around the house or pick up a few extras during a routine shopping trip.

The drive is a reminder of the role the YMCA of Long Island plays well beyond its pools and fitness classes, serving as a community hub that steps up when local families need practical support. For a parent trying to stretch a paycheck through August, a donated backpack's worth of supplies can make a real difference.

Residents who want more information about the Back to School Supply Drive, including drop-off hours at any of the four branches, can call the YMCA of Long Island at 855-2YMCALI.