It’s back to school for kids across the country. While this may be an exciting time for most, it’s also stressful for many kids. Why? Because there are countless families who can’t afford the basics when it comes to the dreaded back to school supplies list. Many children aren’t equipped with the basics: backpacks, pens, pencils, paper, and binders. According to Adopt a Classroom.org, K-12 teachers spend $600 a year, of their own money, to buy classroom supplies that their students need.
As a child, my mom always made time to make special trips with us kids to pick out school supplies to donate. These days, we drop them off at The Volunteer Way, a non-profit organization in my hometown that is dedicated to helping financially challenged individuals and their families meet basic needs. The Volunteer Way helps provide food, personal items, resources, hope, and opportunity for those who need it.
Below, I compiled a list of 5 Easy Ways to Donate to Schools, children and teachers. By committing yourself to just one know that you’ll be helping students reach their full potential.
5 Easy Ways to Donate to Schools, Kids, & Teachers
- Office Depot.com– Make a purchase of qualifying school supplies, provide the school ID of your choice at checkout and your designated school will receive 5% back in credits for free school supplies. Don’t skip this option, it takes less than 1 minute. Office Depot/Office Max will do the rest!
- School Supply Donations-Buy any amount of school supplies, including but not limited to, backpacks, pens, pencils, paper, notebooks, folders, binders, calculators, and lunch boxes. Deliver supplies to a local non-profit organization that is accepting and properly distributing them to those in need.
- School Lunch Debt- Visit or call local schools and ask to pay off any lunch debt. Even the smallest donation can help a child in need.
- Adopt a Classroom.org– The mission of Adopt A Classroom.org is to bring assistance to teachers by connecting them with funding to purchase the classroom supplies and materials they need immediately. Visit AdoptAClassroom.org to make a tax-deductible contribution to their annual fund or one of their featured campaigns.
- DonorsChoose.org– Visit the website and find a classroom project that inspires you and give as little as $1. DonorsChoose.org is a public charity, so your donation is tax-deductible. All the requested items are shipped directly to the school once the project is fully funded. Every donor gets a thank-you letter, photos from the classroom, and a report of how each dollar was spent.
Related: Tips for Shopping with Toddlers
For any giving heart, willing to donate to schools, kids, and teachers please lend a helping hand. Any amount will help equip children to learn and succeed.
Do you donate to schools, kids, or teachers? How do you lend a helping hand to those in need? Please share in the comments below.
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Hi! I’m Meagan and I’m a 41 year old mom of a high energy almost 9 year old, happily navigating my way through the little boy years. I’ve been married for 14 years. I met my husband over 20 years ago in high school; we got married 10 years later after graduating from the University of South Florida. I currently help run a family business with my parents while blogging about my life and love of DIY projects!
When I’m not at a kids sports game, I enjoy spending time with my family on a beach anywhere. I also love decorating and organizing, fun DIY projects, bargain shopping, and eating out or in! I also love Barbecue anything and a good show or movie on Netflix.
I never thought of paying off someone’s lunch debt. Such a kind idea!
I LOVE this post! I don’t think people really know how much teachers spend of their own money each year! These are great ways to help out!
xoxo Christie
http://icanstyleu.com/blog/
i LOVE LOVE LOVE the lunch debt idea!! So many children go hungry and i remember as a kid the other children who would giggle at the kids who needed assistance with meal tickets. Such a great idea!
These are great ideas!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Love the beauty in your heart! A giving heart is a loving heart for sure!
What a wonderful post! Love the idea of paying off school lunch debt.
Jenn @ http://www.shawave.com
What a great post! As a once teacher, now SAHM, loved all these ideas. A lot of people don’t realize that what the tuition or State doesn’t cover, the teachers/staff have to pick up. Also, school supplies can be too much for some families to afford. I donate school supplies as well as offer help as needed around the school. I have never heard of Adopt A Classroom-awesome!
I love the idea of getting kids involved in donating…helping them think of others and not just their own new backpacks and supplies. Also, I would add to your list just ASKING your child’s teacher. There may be things that could be used for the classroom (or low-income students) that you could donate. I know my son’s preschool had a list of donations that could be offered.
As a former teacher, I absolutely love this post. What wonderful ideas! Thanks for sharing!
As a former teacher, I love this! This is so important to remember, and this is a great list. I also try to make sure I cut out Box Tops to turn in. They aren’t worth much, but every little bit helps.
I love this! Donating to our schools is so important!
yes yes yes! as a teacher, i am 100% behind this post! more and more teachers are spending their own money on their classroom.
i made more money in the restaurant than as a teacher!
I love all of these ideas, and I hadn’t heard of most of them. Thank you for sharing!
As a (former) teacher, I really appreciate these ideas! I never considered paying off school lunch debt..what a great idea! Thanks for sharing!!