2023 School Supply Drive - Pack and Sort Event

This event is brought to you by our partners at Aeroflow.

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County believes that we can co-create a place where every person has the opportunity to succeed. One of the many ways we do this is by bringing people and partners together through our annual School Supply Drive. Since the drive's inception in 2007, United Way's Volunteer Center, Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, has rallied the community to send more than 23,000 students back to school with fully stocked backpacks.

We are currently inviting volunteers to support the Pack and Sort Event as the finale of the Annual School Supply Drive sponsored by our partners at Aeroflow. Volunteers will participate in set up, packing backpacks, breakdown of event space and loading backpacks for distribution. Fully stocked backpacks donated through the drive will be distributed to elementary, middle and high school students. 

General Requirements: 

• Volunteers “respond” below to available shifts or “respond as a team” to reserve spots for colleagues, family, and friends.
• Volunteers agree to adhere to all safety measures implemented
• Ability to lift a minimum of 25lbs 
• Bending, stooping, walking and twisting
• Ability to stand on concrete for long periods of time 
• Heat tolerant (no air-conditioning, fan available) 
• Sign the waiver upon arrival to your selected shift 
• Note: If you require accommodations to participate, please contact the site supervisor to discuss how we can best support you! 

Shift Dates and Descriptions: *View and sign up for specific shifts below

• Monday, July 31st:

All shifts will be focused on breaking down the supply order and prepping the space and materials for packing.

• Tuesday August 1st: 

 All shifts will be focused on packing backpacks full of school supplies. 

• Wednesday August 2nd

A.M. volunteers will finish packing backpacks if needed & clean space for distribution. 

P.M. volunteer will load backpacks into vehicles of the organizations distributing the backpacks. 

Address: 

Harrah's Cherokee Center
Lower Exhibition Hall 
44 Hiawassee Street
Asheville, NC 28801

General Information

• Breakfast bars, snacks, and lunch will be provided for all volunteers as well as plenty of water and drinks. 

Attire:

• Attire should be comfortable and cool; we will be moving around and standing on concrete and things will get quite warm!
• If you are a company team, wear a shirt with your team’s logo
• Close toed tennis shoes, sneakers or boots required 

To sign up for this volunteer project, simply

1. click "respond" or “respond as a team” to secure your spot and receive next step instructions 
2. and please DO NOT SHOW UP IF YOU DID NOT RESPOND!

 Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer?

Your safety and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is everyone’s main priority. We encourage you to review and adhere to the recommendations on the Buncombe County readiness site on how best to avoid COVID-19 and what to do if you think you might have it.