Project Fresh Start 2026 

 Registration is Open!

 

 

For Eligible Families:

 

Project Fresh Start 2026 will take place on Saturday, August 15,
at P.J. Jacobs Junior High School at 2400 Main St. in Stevens Point.

Registration is open from May 1, 2026 - July 24, 2026.


Remember:

  • Register early! The sooner you register, the earlier you are able to pick out supplies on August 15.
  • The program is available only to children in grades 4K-12. University students are NOT eligible.

Complete the registration form online at Project Fresh Start Registration Form.

Registration forms in English, Hmong, and Spanish below can also be printed. Please send completed, paper registration forms to the United Way office at 2801 Hoover Rd. Unit 2, Stevens Point, WI 54481.

Project Fresh Start English Family Letter and Registration
Project Fresh Start Hmong Family Letter and Registration
Project Fresh Start Spanish Family Letter and Registration

For Collection Partners (Businesses & Organizations):


The 2026 collection is open! Sign-up your organization today using our online registration form.

2026 Public Collection Partners:


ADRC of Portage County Lincoln Center
4U Adult Day Service
Bone & Joint Clinic, S.C.
Central Wisconsin Children's Museum
Champion Chiropractic LLC
Kerber Rose S.C.
Ki Mobility
Mark Motors of Plover
Precision Glass & Door LLC
























For Volunteers: 

Volunteer Opportunities coming soon! Thank you!

 

FAQS ABOUT PROJECT FRESH START

PURPOSE: Project Fresh Start provides necessary school supplies to students in Portage County who qualify for free or reduced priced meals through their school. It is a United Way of Portage County Volunteer Center program. The start of a new school year means buying school supplies. For lower-income families, it can be a time when money is tight. Project Fresh Start depends on the support of our community to help provide school supplies to students in need. More than 3,000 students are eligible to participate in this program.

WHO RECEIVES DONATED ITEMS?: Last year, Project Fresh Start served over 1,200 students. Any child who is eligible for the federal free or reduced priced meal program is eligible for Project Fresh Start. Children must attend a school in Portage County, Wisconsin and be in 4K-12th grade.

HOW DO PARTICIPANTS REGISTER?: Participants can register online or download a paper form and mail it to the United Way office at 2801 Hoover Rd. Unit 2, Stevens Point, WI 54481. Registration opens on May 1 and closes on July 24, 2026.

HOW DO I CONFIRM I AM REGISTERED? If you register online, you will receive an email confirmation of registration right after submitting your online form. The Project Fresh Start Coordinator will also send an email confirmation following the July 24th registration deadline to all those who have registered (online or by mail). In addition, confirmation letters will be sent in the mail at the address you provided. Expect this confirmation letter to arrive in the mail between August 3rd and August 7th. The letter will have an assigned time slot for your family to pick up school supplies on Saturday, August 15. We apologize, but time slots cannot be changed.

WHAT SUPPLIES WILL I RECEIVE? United Way uses general school supply lists for 4K, K-6, and 7-12, based off of the schools' current supply lists. You may not receive every supply needed at your student's particular school.

4K Students

  • Backpack
  • 1 Folder
  • 2-4 Glue Sticks
  • 1 Glue bottle
  • Markers
  • Crayons
  • Scissors (child/safety)
  • Watercolor paint set (8 colors)

K-6 Students

  • 1 Backpack
  • 5 Notebooks
  • 5 Folders
  • Composition Notebook
  • Pencils (8-12 per bundle)
  • Pencil Box OR Pencil Pouch
  • Pencil Sharpener
  • Erasers (2 regular or 10 pencil toppers)
  • Glue Sticks (2-4)
  • 1 Glue Bottle
  • Highlighters (2)
  • Dry Erase Markers (2)
  • Washable Markers
  • Crayons
  • Colored Pencils
  • Child Scissors
  • Ruler
  • Watercolor set (4K-1 only)

7-12 Students

  • 1 Backpack
  • 5 Notebooks
  • 5 Folders
  • Pencils (8-12 per bundle)
  • Pencil Box OR Pencil Pouch
  • Pencil Sharpener
  • Erasers (2 regular or 10 pencil toppers)
  • Black/Blue Pens (5 per bundle)
  • Red Pens (2)
  • Highlighters (2)
  • Dry Erase Markers (2)
  • Colored Pencils
  • Index Cards

WHAT IS A COLLECTION PARTNER? A Collection Partner is a physical site (typically a company, church, or organization) that sets up an area to receive collections of school supplies. 

WHERE CAN I DROP OFF MY DONATIONS? You can drop off your school supply or monetary donations to any public collection site. Stay tuned for a list of sites. Collection sites will open in June.

CAN I MAKE A MONETARY DONATION? Yes, monetary donations are appreciated! You can drop off or mail a cash or check to our office at 2801 Hoover Rd. Unit 2, Stevens Point, WI 54481. Make checks out to United Way of Portage County and add "Project Fresh Start" in the memo section.