Organizations in Hillsborough and Pinellas County, Fla., are collaborating once more for their yearly initiative to supply students and teachers with necessary resources for the academic year.
The Pinellas Education Foundation and the Hillsborough Education Foundation are organizing their annual Tampa Bay School Supply Drive. For over two decades, these groups have supported more than 200,000 students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
“In Pinellas County, 66% of our students are on free and reduced lunch,” stated Kim Jowell, CEO of Pinellas Education Foundation. “These families are considered low income. They need to prioritize putting food on the table and paying rent, leaving little extra income for school supplies.”
Kim Jowell, CEO of the Pinellas Education Foundation, mentioned that they have been actively gathering supplies and securing donations. The foundation has amassed over three school buses’ worth of supplies, which will be delivered to more than 20 high-needs schools on Thursday and Friday.
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The Hillsborough Education Foundation is also amassing school supplies, which are stored in their Teaching Tools Resource Center. This warehouse allows any public school teacher in the district to collect supplies valued at up to $400 four times a year for their students.
“Thanks to the Teaching Tools Resource Center, we can accept donations throughout the year, and we encourage ongoing contributions,” said Shannon Boltz. “The demand is particularly high this year due to economic factors impacting families’ budgets, with some students needing to reuse last year’s backpacks.”
Shannon Boltz is the Chief Development Officer for the Hillborough Education Foundation. Boltz says teachers shopping for supplies in July were up by 200% this year compared to last.
“It’s no secret that teachers in Florida are underpaid, so we don’t want that burden to fall on them,” Boltz said.
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Both the Hillsborough and Pinellas Education Foundations accept school supplies and donations year-round. Here’s a list of the top 20 most needed supplies:
Backpacks
Binders (1 & 2-Inch)
Colored Pencils (12 Count)
Composition Books
Crayons (24 Count)
Erasers (Cap & Pink)
Glue (Bottles & Sticks)
Highlighters
Index Cards
Markers (Dry Erase, Washable & Permanent)
Mechanical Pencils
Notebook/Filler Paper
Paper (Copy, Construction & Graph)
Pencils
Pencil Boxes
Pencil Sharpeners
Pocket Folders
Rulers
Scissors
Spiral Notebook
Visit their website to donate.
