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Boreal Community Media

Back to school drive to benefit students in all Cook County and Grand Portage schools

Aug 05, 2022 12:24PM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Aaron Burden

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - August 5, 2022


The first day of school is quickly approaching and you can help support local students from Cook County and Grand Portage schools as they return to the classroom. The Cook County Council on Aging is hosting a school supply drive to provide local students with the tools they need to achieve and succeed at school. 

Related: School supply lists for Cook County and Grand Portage schools (22-23 school year)

How can you help? 

Boreal Community Media reached out to Chris Bautch, Programs Coordinator at The Hub to get the details of what the schools need. 

According to Bautch, you can usually follow the school supply lists which are found on each school website. However, some schools do not have the 2022-2023 school list up yet. In that case, Bautch provided a general school supply list and a list of "nice to have" items in the meantime. 

General School Supply List

  • Erasers
  • Spiral Notebooks
  • Composition Notebooks
  • Folders
  • Pencil box
  • 24 Count Crayons
  •  Colored Pencils
  • Markers
  • Glue sticks
  • Bottled Glue
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Loose-leaf paper
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Folders
  • 3 Binders
  • Highlighters (pink, yellow, green, & blue)

Optional and appreciated supplies

  • Back Pack
  • Kleenex
  • Disinfecting Wipes
  • Gallon & quart size Ziploc Bags
  • Dry Erase Markers
  • Sticky notes (High School)
  • Index Cards
  • Healthy, shelf-stable snacks to share (no nuts): goldfish crackers, granola bars, dried fruit, graham crackers, crackers, pretzels, cold breakfast cereals
  • Band-Aids
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Paper cups, plates, napkins, forks, spoons
  • Decks of cards
  • Dice
  • Scientific Calculator (High School)
  • Head Phones/Ear Buds
  • Construction Paper

Purchased supplies can be dropped off at The Hub/Sr. Center (10 North Broadway, Grand Marais, MN 55604) from August 1 — September 9, 2022. Want to make a monetary donation instead? Bautch said anyone can mail checks (make checks payable to Cook County Council on Aging) or drop off cash donations, and the money will be used to purchase the supplies needed.

If you have items but can't make it to The Hub in person, items can be arranged for pick up by calling 218-387-2660 or emailing [email protected]

Finally, Bautch said they need help to spread the word about the school supply drive to help ensure all kids have what they need to learn and succeed this school year and reach their full potential. One idea is to team up with co-workers, your neighborhood, faith community to collect money or supplies and share information about the drive. 


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Boreal Ship Spotter - larger view here