Back-to-school season can bring with it all kinds of emotions: excitement at seeing old friends, apprehension at meeting new teachers, and sadness at the end of summer. But for many families in Lake County, Illinois, it can also mean stress and anxiety over the high cost of school supplies. More than 69% of Waukegan students live in low-income households. These children can greatly benefit throughout school and life from assistance from organizations such as United Way of Lake County (UWLC).

With its annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive, UWLC works to fill the school supply gap and give every child what they need to start school on the right track. “All students should go back to school with the resources they need to learn,” says Bobbi Selvik, UWLC Manager, Community Engagement.

During several packing events hosted by Medline’s Environmental, Social and Governance team, more than 200 Medline employees volunteered to help fill over 450 brand-new backpacks with everything from spiral notebooks to pencils to scissors. They also included a handcrafted bookmark for the students. “This year, Medline employees truly showcased the impact we can make in our community when we all pull together time and resources,” Selvik says.

All told, this year’s Stuff the Bus program was able to distribute 3,000 backpacks. Some students grabbed a bag as part of the Lake County Housing Authority’s back-to-school community resource fair, while other children received the backpacks at their local schools.

One of Medline’s longest-standing nonprofit partners, UWLC helps fund services that positively impact health, education and financial stability for families in need. In 2023, Medline made an annual donation of $50,000, which will help support UWLC mission priorities, including their early childhood education programs. The back-to-school supply drive is one of many initiatives Medline has been able to support over the years. Beyond just providing the basic school supply needs, the backpacks also serve a greater purpose: As Selvik notes, “Students who are prepared to learn are more confident and more comfortable in the classroom.”

Learn more about how Medline is making a difference in our communities.