in 2025, These folks helped provide 
school supplies to 3,600 area kids

you can too

Give Now
Need School Supplies? Start Here
Volunteer with Apples for Students
Thank you apples for students

2026 sponsors

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Five Flags
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Five Flags
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FOR QUESTIONS OR to become a sponsor

Contact Abby at (563) 582-6211 Ext. 100 or office@stmarkyouthenrichment.org

calling all helpers

volunteer

sign up!

For more opportunities or to make special arrangements, please contact Dakota at ddix@stmarkyouthenrichment.org or 563.582.6211 ext. 103.

THE IMPACT YOU CREATE

OTHER WAYS TO GIVE

Make a Bigger Impact

Become a monthly donor and bring social-emotional learning to kids year-round.

Honor Someone Special

Honor or remember someone special by making a gift in their name.

Legacy Giving

You can make creating the next generation of happy kids a part of your lasting legacy.

Give By Check or Stock

We also accept donations by check, stock, money order, and wire transfer.

Need school supply help? You're not alone.

St. Mark Youth Enrichment annually provides school supplies for 3,600+ students in public & parochial schools in Dubuque & Western Dubuque and schools in the surrounding tri-state area to ensure kids have the tools they need to succeed.

HOW IT WORKS

  • St. Mark connects with area schools to get estimates for local needs. Supplies are sent directly to the schools to be available on orientation day. 
  • If your child attends Marshall, Audubon, Prescott, or Lincoln Elementary Schools, no action is needed. Supplies will be at school for you at orientation.
  • If you attend any other public or parochial school in the Dubuque, Western Dubuque, or Eastern Dubuque school district area, please connect with your school counselor or school office directly

Supplies include most of the basic supplies on the Dubuque Community School District list, with a few exceptions. Parents will still be responsible for backpacks and tennis shoes.

All area families are eligible to participate.

Supply list

St. Mark Youth Enrichment annually provides the following supplies for area schools. Please note this list is subject to change at any time: 

Kindergarten - Per Student

  • 3 - boxes of Crayola crayons
  • 1 - watercolor set
  • 1 - pack of Crayola markers
  • 1 - 10 pack of pencils
  • 1 - box of Crayola Colored pencils
  • 3 - 2 packs of glue sticks
  • 1 - large eraser
  • 1 - scissors
  • 2 - 2 pocket folder

1st & 2nd Grade - Per Student

  • 2 - boxes of Crayola crayons
  • 2 - pack of Crayola markers
  • 2 - 10 pack of pencils
  • 1 - box of Crayola Colored pencils
  • 2 - 2 packs of glue sticks
  • 1 - 2 pack of large erasers
  • 4 - 2 pocket folders
  • 1 - scissors
  • 1 - pencil case
  • 1 - highlighter

3rd - 5th Grade

  • 1 - boxes of Crayola crayons
  • 1 - pack of Crayola markers
  • 2 - 10 pack of pencils
  • 1 - box of Crayola Colored pencils
  • 2 - 2 packs of glue sticks
  • 1 - large eraser
  • 6 - 2 pocket folders
  • 1 - pencil case
  • 1 - highlighter
  • 1 - 1" 3 ring binder


Middle & High Schools  - Bulk

  • Folders, notebooks, mechanical pencils, & misc. supplies

In addition to the supplies listed above, other supplemental school supplies may be available thanks to the generosity of community donors. Availability varies each year based on donations received.

MULTIPLY YOUR IMPACT

START A FUNDRAISER

FUNDRAISE

WANT TO START A DRIVE?

Please consider hosting a fundraiser instead. St. Mark is working with local vendor Hartig Drug stores and other local sources for supplies at the best rates possible, meaning contributions can be maximized and stay local by hosting a fundraiser with your friends.

Maybe it's a lemonade stand? Maybe it's an extra jean day at work? Maybe it's a friendly office-wide competition. Whatever your ideas we're here to help!

Here's a few simple ways you can help more kids:

1. Start a Fundraising Page - It's Easy!

We're working with GiveButter to make it  hosting your own fundraiser easy! Just visit our GiveButter page and click on "Start Fundraiser" to create your own fundraising page you can share with your teams or friends. 

2. Host a Jean Day 

Some companies have hosted jean days in the past to support our kids. Remember just $47 fills a bag for a kid, so a little can go a long way.

3. Host a Lemonade Stand or Bake Sale 

One fundraiser that warmed our hearts was when a group of young girls hosted a lemonade stand to help support supplies for kids like them. We were in tears when they showed up. 

4. Host a Supply Drive

If you're still considering hosting a supply drive instead, please connect with us at bmcgorry@stmarkyouthenrichment or 563.590.2806. That way we can supply you a list of our most needed items. 

Have an idea? Need help? Contact Beth at (563) 582-6211 Ext. 102 or bmcgorry@stmarkyouthenrichment.org.

Be a Hero

fill the bag

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Apples for Students - Fill the Bag is a community initiative of St. Mark Youth Enrichment

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FILL THE BAG

Your support has never been more critical for kids.

Parents are unemployed, their hours are cut, and when school starts back they will not be prepared to purchase school supplies. That's why you're needed today. Local schools are expecting a significant increase in need, and if we are to be prepared, they need your support to fill as many bags as possible. Just $47 can provide the needed supplies for 1 student. Will you fill the bag today?

Make the first day of school less stressful. 
When kids start their first day with the supplies they need, that day becomes a lot less stressful and learning has a better chance to begin. You can be a hero today by providing supplies for local students during a time of unprecedented need.

Last year, heroes came together to bring school supplies to more than 3,000 students from East Dubuque to Western Dubuque public and parochial schools. This year, we anticipate that number to be SUBSTANTIALLY higher. Parents are hurting. Many are unemployed, their hours are cut, and while the thought of purchasing school supplies might seem distant, your support is needed today to ensure these parents will have access to the supplies they need for their kids when school doors open once again. It's a piece-of-mind you can provide for as little as $47 per child.

A first-grader from St. Columbkilles Elementary school told us having his supplies at school ready for him made him "feel like the other kids." Imagine the relief you can provide for kids like him. When you take the stigma away from poverty, these students have so many more opportunities to learn, succeed, and grow.

Every dollar raised for this campaign will be used to help these beautiful kids be prepared for school. If the needs of all the area students are met, we will use these funds to support these kids in the best way possible.

Prefer to give by mail? Donations can also be mailed to our office address. 

C/O Apples for Students
St. Mark Youth Enrichment
1201 Locust St.
Dubuque, IA 52001

FOR QUESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION

Contact Beth at (563) 582-6211 Ext. 102 or bmcgorry@stmarkyouthenrichment.org

Thank you to these great sponsors of APPLES for STUDENTS

  • Five Flags
  • Hartig Drug Stores
  • Theisen's Home-Farm-Auto
  • McGraw-Hill
  • John Deere Works