First introduced at the 2022 National Convention in Nashville, Beta Serves is a national service project which allows Betas attending National Convention to demonstrate our motto, “Let Us Lead by Serving Others.” Through detailed research, the National Office highlights a need in the host city and partners with local organizations to allow our project to make the greatest impact.
This year, we’re partnering with Pencil and their DG Pencil Box store. Pencil partners with the Metro Nashville Public Schools to provide resources to its schools to help every school succeed. As part of Pencil’s mission, they allow Metro Nashville Public School teachers to shop once a month in their DG Pencil Box store for school supplies. The items collected by clubs this summer will be distributed to the students and teachers in the area.
We’re asking clubs to collect items that have been requested by Pencil and bring them to National Convention. Donations have been broken up by division to ensure an equal amount of each item is collected.
The top 10 schools per division who donate the most items averaged per attendee will win a plaque AND our exclusive Beta Serves Nashville pin! Awards will be given pre-session during the last session. Items will be counted based on the list below.
Examples of each item are linked in each list.
#2 Wood Pencils (pack of 10 or 12): (1) pack = 1 item
Crayons: 24ct (Crayola Preferred but not required): (1) 24 ct crayons= 1 item
Zippered Pencil Pouch: 1 pouch= 1 item
Broad or Fine Line Colored Markers (8 or 10 count box): 1 box = 1 item
Block Style Pencil Erasers (2 or 3 count pack): 1 pack= 1 item
Composition Notebook Wide Ruled or College Ruled (9.75 x 7.5 only): 1 notebook = 1 item
Colored Pencils (12 count box): (1) 12 count box= 1 item
Scissors (labeled 4+, 5+, 6+, or 8+): 1 pair=1 items
Pencil Sharpener (mini handheld with cover): 1 sharpener= 1 item
The Beta Serves Nashville donation drop off location is Ryman Exhibit Hall B3. Items dropped off will be counted by a National Office staff member. Ideally, all items from a particular club should be dropped off at once. However, if your club is arriving to National Convention at different times, they may be dropped off at your convenience during the posted drop-off schedule.
| Date | Time | How to Help |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, June 21, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM; 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Donation Drop-Off |
| Monday, June 22, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM; 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Donation Drop-Off (last opportunity) |
| Date | Time | How to Help |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM; 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Donation Drop-Off |
| Thursday, July 25, 2026 | 11:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Donation Drop-Off (last opportunity) |
| Date | Time | How to Help |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, June 17, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM; 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Donation Drop-Off |
| Thursday, June 18, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Donation Drop-Off |
| Friday, June 19, 2026 | 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM | Donation Drop-Off (last opportunity) |
The list was split between each division to ensure that we did not collect an over supply of one item and too few of others.
All students deserve to start school with new school supplies. As educators, parents, and students, we know that new school supplies boost a student’s confidence and help start the school year off on the right foot. We want to ensure all students we are serving are afforded that same opportunity.
If you bring a large pack of an item and the pack can easily be split into smaller, equal, same packs , we will divide the count requested by the number in your pack. For example: a 144 box of pencils will be counted as 12 items but a pack of 60 crayons cannot be split into equal and same packs.
24 count crayons, 8 or 10 count markers, and 12 count-colored pencils must be in individual boxes. All other items can be brought in bulk without being individually packaged. However, we do ask that these items be in the original purchase box.
While we understand that Betas are incredibly generous with their donations, Pencil has a limited amount of storage to house all donations. Their team created a list based on the items that every student they serve will need. Although some students may need additional items, they requested items that were the most important.