United Way Works to Advance Youth Opportunity

Education is the cornerstone of individual and community success. But with more than 1.2 million children dropping out each year, America faces an education crisis. The cost? More than $312 billion in lost wages, taxes, and productivity over their lifetimes.¹ These trends are reversible, but only when communities and public, private, and nonprofit sectors work together to support student success. Advancing youth opportunity also means focusing on children's lives outside of the classroom, making sure they are safe and healthy.

Our Strategy

United Way of Oconee works to ensure children have the supplies they need for a successful school year. Through our Backpack School Supply Program, first through twelfth grade public school students in Oconee can receive a backpack filled with basic school supplies at our annual distribution event. We also provide school supplies to teachers throughout the year. Stay tuned for information about our 2026 Backpack Distribution Event.

To improve the quality of life for children outside of school, United Way of Oconee also operates the Kids Food Gap program through a grant from SC DSS. We have partnered with the Seneca and Westminster Recreation Departments to provide Oconee children with food and access to the recreation complexes. This program offers Oconee children a safe place to spend time and eat when they are not in school. The Recreation Complexes often serve meals and snacks over weekends, holidays, and school breaks.

How You Can Help

We are collecting supplies in June and July for our 2026 School Supply Distribution. Please consider supporting Oconee children and teachers by contributing to our school supply drive. Online monetary donations to our programs are also accepted and may be submitted at https://www.oconeeunitedway.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=2. Let's get our students ready for another great school year!

School Supply Drive Flyer

¹ Figure according to Communities in Schools, one of America’s leading drop-out prevention partnerships.