NASHUA – The United Way of Greater Nashua is once again partnering with the Teachers and Paws Project for its annual Rod Hansen Memorial School Supply Drive, benefiting the Rod Hansen/TAPP School Supply Pantry.

The pantry, located at United Way’s office at 20 Broad St., supports local educators by providing free classroom supplies for students in need across Greater Nashua.

The drive invites residents to donate new school supplies like backpacks, notebooks, glue sticks and headphones at collection tables outside both Staples stores in Nashua and Amherst. Volunteers will be on site to receive donations, thank donors and ensure items are sorted and ready for distribution to teachers before the school year begins.

For many of us, the back-to-school season meant freshly sharpened pencils, the scent of new notebooks and excitement about seeing friends and teachers again. But for hundreds of local families, that experience is overshadowed by the stress of not being able to afford even the most basic supplies. This drive is about more than pencils and paper, it’s about making sure every child starts school with dignity, confidence and a sense of belonging.

In Greater Nashua, more than 30 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating a high level of economic need. Teachers often dip into their own pockets to make sure their students have what they need. The School Supply Pantry helps ease that burden. Last year alone, it served more than 500 educators and more than 2,000 students.

The following items are especially appreciated:

-Backpacks

-Colored pencils, markers, Sharpies and chalk

-Lined and construction paper and composition notebooks

-Scissors, erasers, glue sticks and school glue

-Tape, staplers, pencil cases and Post-it notes

-Small hand sanitizers and disinfecting wipes

-Headphones, webcams, computer mice and calculators

Staples Collection Days will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 252 Daniel Webster Hwy. in Nashua and at 124 State Rt. 101A in Amherst.

Items can also be dropped off at the United Way office on Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through the beginning of the school year.

Businesses and community groups are encouraged to hold their own drives.

Online donations can be made at https://tinyurl.com/UWGNSchoolSupply.

Volunteers are welcome to help collect donations during the collection days at Staples. Shifts are available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 1-4 p.m. Volunteers can sign up online at https://www.volunteergreaternashua.org/need/detail/?need_id=1110401 or contact the United Way at info@unitedwaynashua.org for more information.