Roughly half the students in Granite School District qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and with classes back in session as of Wednesday, Aug. 12, the Granite Education Foundation is asking Millcreek families to help fill the gap.

The nonprofit is collecting school supply kits, weekend food kits and clothing for students across the district, which serves more than 58,000 students at 82 schools according to district records. That includes Millcreek-area campuses like Skyline High School, Churchill Junior High, Evergreen Junior High, Eastwood Elementary and Upland Terrace Elementary.

Randy Prince, the foundation's programs and volunteer manager, told ABC4 on Aug. 13 that free or reduced-lunch eligibility is how the organization identifies need. With about half the district qualifying, that puts the number of kids who could use help in the tens of thousands.

In 2024, the foundation delivered 17,000 backpacks to Granite schools. A $15 donation covers one new backpack stuffed with supplies and delivered to a student, according to the foundation's website.

How to help

Families, businesses and faith groups can visit granitekids.org to find kit-building lists, assemble kits at home and drop them off at the foundation's donation center at 5325 S. Revere Dr., Murray, UT 84117. Drop-off hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon, or by appointment.

All donated items must be new.

School kit items: safety scissors, erasers, glue sticks, colored pencils (12-count), dry-erase markers, highlighters, college-ruled notebooks, two-pocket folders, pencils, 24-count crayons, loose-leaf paper and pens.

Weekend food kit items: non-perishable, non-canned snacks such as microwavable mac and cheese, cup noodles, granola bars, fruit pouches, juice boxes, Goldfish, Ritz crackers, Cheez-Its, cereal and trail mix pouches.

The foundation distributes kits to all Granite schools, making them available at back-to-school nights, on the first day of classes and sometimes delivering directly to incoming freshmen.

Upcoming

Sept. 10 — 9/11 Day of Service kit build: Thursday, Sept. 10, 12:30 to 8 p.m. at the Granite Education Foundation Donation & Distribution Center, 5325 S. Revere Dr., Murray. Extended donation hours Friday, Sept. 11, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 2026 goal is 20,000 kits, up from 16,267 built in 2025. Volunteers must be 12 or older; registration details are expected soon at granitekids.org.

For questions, call (385) 646-5437 or email [email protected].