Now collecting until August 1
Before the school year is over, we are already planning for next year’s #BestFirstDay. The Best First Day program is a community wide school supplies drive collecting backpacks and school supplies for students in need of support for these essential items.
Last year, the annual community-wide drive was able to deliver nearly 3,700 backpacks were collected and delivered to over 170 different schools. Amid the financial strain many families are facing, there is an anticipated increased need among students for school supplies.
On behalf of Thames Valley Education Foundation, United Way Elgin Middlesex and The Salvation Army, we thank you for helping the students in our community. With your help, we are making sure that every student has the best chance to learn and succeed.
Drive closed for the year
Remember, we are collecting brand news items only. No used or company branded items please!
Only brand-new items listed here will be accepted.
Elementary
- Backpacks
- Lunch Bags
- Notebooks
- Pencil Cases & Pencils
- Pencil Crayon Package
- Reusable Water Bottles
Secondary
- Backpacks
- Pencil Cases, Pencils & Pens
- Thin Binders & Lined Paper Packs
- Highlighters
- Reusable Water Bottles
#BestFirstDay Toolkit
Start a collection drive, tell your friends and give local students a super start to the school year
Participate as an individual or a team and collect items for the Best First Day Community-Wide School Supplies drive!
Cash donations received during the collection drive will be used to purchase any necessary items for families and students in need.
For questions or help setting up a collection drive, please contact Brittany Webb, Thames Valley Education Foundation at 519.452.2000 x 20202
Here you will find resources to help spread the word.
Promote your drive on social media and tag us in your posts:
- #BestFirstDay
- #Schooltools
- #LocalLove
- #DoGooders
Making a best first day for every child
In 2001, Natalie Trimble and Chantal McLaughlin, two working moms, started Supplies for Schools in their basement. Their goal: provide backpacks and school supplies for students in need so that every kid can start school ready to learn.
Today, the program has grown into a community-wide school supplies drive coordinated by three community partners – United Way Elgin Middlesex, Thames Valley Education Foundation and The Salvation Army. Collected backpacks and school supplies are given to local schools for distribution to students in need.
In 2023, Best First Day collected and gave out nearly 3,700 backpacks full of school supplies!
Not part of a workplace collection drive? Individuals and small groups can drop-off backpacks here:
Thames Valley Education Foundation
Front Reception Donation Box
9am-4pm, Monday to Friday
1250 Dundas Street
London, ON N5W5P2
Alternate Drop off Locations (Call to inquire about hours of operation)
Ailsa Craig Library
147 Ailsa Craig Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON NOM 1AO
519-293-3441
Coldstream Library
10227 Ilderton Road, Coldstream, ON N0M 2A0
519-666-1201
Delaware Library
29 Young Street, Delaware, ON N0L 1E0
519-652-9978
Dorchester Library
2123 Dorchester Rd., P.O. Box 463, Dorchester, ON N0L 1G0
519-268-3451
Glencoe Library
123 McKellar Street, Glencoe, ON N0L 1M0
519-287-2735
Ilderton Library
40 Heritage Drive, Ilderton, ON N0M 2A0
519-666-1599
Komoka Library
1 Tunks Lane, Komoka, ON N0L 1R0
519-657-1461
Lucan Library
270 Main Street, Lucan, ON N0M 2J0
519-227-4682
Melbourne Library
6570 Longwoods Road, Melbourne, ON N0L 1T0
519-289-2405
Mt. Brydges Library
22501 Adelaide Road, Mt. Brydges, ON N0L 1W0
519-264-1061
Newbury Library
22894 Hagerty Road, Newbury, ON N0L 1Z0
519-693-4275
Parkhill Library
229 B Main Street, Parkhill, ON N0M 2K0
519-294-6583
Strathroy Library
34 Frank Street, Strathroy, ON N7G 2R4
519-245-1290
Thorndale Library
21790 Fairview Road, PO Box 88, Thorndale, ON N0M 2P0
519-461-1150
Wardsville Library
21935 Hagerty Road, Wardsville, ON N0L 2N0
519-693-4208
Aylmer Old Town Hall Library
38 John Street South, Aylmer, Ontario, N5H 2C2
519-773-2439
Belmont Library
14134 Belmont Road, Belmont, Ontario, N0L 1B0
519-644-1560
Fred Bodsworth Public Library of Port Burwell
21 Pitt Street, Port Burwell, Ontario, N0J 1T0
519-874-4754
John Kenneth Galbraith Library – Dutton
236 Shackleton Street, Dutton, Ontario, N0L 1J0
519-762-2780
Port Stanley Library
302 Bridge Street, Port Stanley, Ontario, N5L 1C3
519-782-4241
Rodney Library
207 Furnival Road, Rodney, Ontario N0L 2C0
519-785-2100
Shedden Library
35921 Talbot Line, Shedden, Ontario, N0L 2E0
519-764-2081
Springfield Library
12105 Whittaker Road, Springfield, Ontario, N0L 2J0
519-765-4515
Straffordville Library
9366 Plank Road, PO Box 209, Straffordville, Ontario, N0J 1Y0
519-866-3584
West Lorne Library
160A Main Street, West Lorne, Ontario, N0L 2P0
519-768-1150
Interested in volunteering?
If you are an individual and/or family looking to volunteer, please email Brittany at b.webb@tvdsb.ca
If you are an organization/company looking for your own packing session, please email Brittany at b.webb@tvdsb.ca to arrange.
We look forward to packing with you!
For general inquiries about setting up a collection drive or making a donation:
Brittany Webb
Executive Director
Thames Valley Education Foundation
b.webb@tvdsb.ca
519.452.2000 x 20202
Roxanne Riddell
Director, Community Impact
United Way Elgin Middlesex
rriddell@unitedwayem.ca
519.438.1723 ext 223
Rebecca Thiessen
Integrated Missions Manager
The Salvation Army
rebecca.thiessen@salvationarmy.ca
519.660.5884 ext 105
For media inquiries:
Cheryl Weedmark
Communications Manager
Thames Valley Education Foundation
519.452.2000 ext 20209
Roxanne Riddell
Director, Community Impact
United Way Elgin Middlesex
rriddell@unitedwayem.ca
519.438.1723 ext 223
Rebecca Thiessen
Integrated Missions Manager
The Salvation Army
519.660.5884 ext 105
Looking for school supplies for your family or someone you may know?
Items collected during this drive will be distributed through the Thames Valley Education Foundation. Please contact your child’s school principal for more information.
Participating Organizations
