Believe it or not, the first day of school is just around the corner, and many North Fork students could use some extra help.
As it does every year, CAST (Center for Advocacy, Support and Transformation, 53930 Main Road, Southold, 631-477-1717) is collecting school supplies through August 17 as part of its annual School Supply Drive, helping ensure that students across the North Fork and Shelter Island have the tools they need to begin the new school year with confidence. CAST’s initiative provides backpacks filled with essential school supplies to K-12 students, easing the financial burden on local families and helping children arrive at school ready to learn. In 2025, CAST distributed 531 backpacks filled with school supplies to students throughout the community.
School supplies are far more than classroom necessities — they are essential tools that support academic success, confidence, and opportunity. Having a backpack stocked with notebooks, pencils, folders, calculators, crayons, and other basic supplies allows students to fully participate in the classroom, stay organized, and focus on learning instead of worrying about whether they have what they need. For many local families already balancing rising household expenses, purchasing these supplies can be a significant challenge.
“Every child deserves to walk into the classroom feeling prepared, confident, and excited to learn,” says CAST executive director Erica Steindl. “A backpack filled with school supplies is more than just a collection of materials. It represents opportunity. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we can help ensure students have the resources they need to succeed from the very first day of school while easing the financial burden on local families.”
This year, along with backpacks, CAST especially needs construction paper, composition books, loose leaf binders, lunch boxes and pencil boxes and cases.
Photos Courtesy of CAST
The School Supply Drive is made possible through the generosity of community members, businesses, and partner organizations. Steindl notes that CAST is also grateful for assistance from Supplies for Success, a volunteer-run nonprofit that helps provide school supplies to students in underserved communities, as well as the many individuals who have purchased school supplies through CAST’s Amazon Wish List and shipped them directly to the organization. CAST also thanks the 36 local businesses across the North Fork and Shelter Island that are hosting collection bins to make donating easy for the community.
The Southold Town Police Department continues to be an important partner in the School Supply Drive. Each year, officers volunteer their time to distribute backpacks to children and contribute additional school supplies to help support local students and families.
Community members can support the School Supply Drive by donating new school supplies at collection bins hosted by businesses and organizations throughout the North Fork and Shelter Island. Donations may also be shipped or delivered directly to CAST. Those who prefer to make a financial contribution can donate online through CAST’s website.
