Winter Springs police launch school supply drive for local students

Plain backpacks are the top priority in Winter Springs as police try to ease the back-to-school cost squeeze for local families. The Winter Springs Police Department launched a school supply drive June 1 that runs through July 31, collecting new and unopened items for students of all ages, with notebooks, pencils and other basic classroom supplies on the list.

The department said backpacks are the most urgent need this year, especially plain backpacks for all ages. That focus points to a familiar pressure for Seminole County households: before a child ever walks into class, families often face a long list of purchases that can add up quickly, especially when several students are shopping at once. Police said every donation will go directly to local students preparing for the upcoming academic year.

Residents can drop off supplies Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Winter Springs Police Department Headquarters, Winter Springs City Hall, and The Oaks at Tuscawilla. The headquarters is at 300 N. Moss Rd., City Hall is at 1126 East State Road 434, and The Oaks at Tuscawilla is at 1500 Winter Springs Blvd. All donations must be delivered by July 31.

The drive is tied to Seminole County Public Schools’ supply list, keeping the effort aligned with actual classroom needs rather than a general wish list. That matters as kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year is already underway, and the district’s Student Success Express mobile registration and family resource vehicle is moving services into neighborhoods as summer planning accelerates.

Winter Springs, a city of about 39,585 people, has long used police outreach as part of its community-relations work. The department says it engages in outreach events, crime prevention programs and opportunities for citizens to get involved in law enforcement efforts to build relationships, enhance safety and foster trust. In that context, the supply drive doubles as a practical response to a seasonal need and a visible sign that public safety staff are working outside enforcement to support the people they serve.