More Than Half of Students Start School Without School Supplies.

of students arrived without all the requested school supplies for class on the first day of school.

of students did not have the adequate supplies at home to complete their schoolwork.

of students ran out of supplies by 2nd semester, and their families were not able to buy replacements.

The Need Grows Throughout the School Year

Supply shortages don’t just affect the first few weeks of school. In many classrooms, materials run out long before the school year ends.

Teachers report that by the second semester, an average of 61.5% of students have run out of supplies and their families cannot afford to replace them. They also report that 54% of students lack adequate school supplies at home. What starts as a missing notebook or box of pencils can quickly snowball into challenges in learning.

Imagine trying to complete classwork or homework without a notebook, pencils, crayons, or other basic necessities. When students don’t have what they need, they often feel different from their peers and those feelings can affect far more than academic performance. They can impact self-esteem, engagement, and a student’s overall educational experience.

Teachers Are Filling the Gap

But when students come to school without supplies, teachers step in without question.

A Gift for Teaching found that 76% of their teachers spent more than $250 of their own money on classroom supplies last year, and nearly one-third spent more than $550.

Teachers are purchasing everything from markers and paper for daily assignments to snacks, hygiene products, and sometimes clothing for students in need. These purchases are often made quietly, with one goal in mind: making sure their students have what they need to succeed.

[A Gift for Teaching] is a lifeline. By removing the financial burden of basic supplies, I can focus on pedagogy rather than “pencil management.” For my students, walking into a classroom where they don’t have to feel the stigma of being unprepared has boosted their confidence and engagement.

Access to high-quality art supplies and STEM kits has turned lessons that were once “paper-and-pencil” into hands-on, vibrant experiences. It ensures that every child in my room has the same opportunity to succeed, regardless of their economic background.

– Orange County public school teacher

Supplies Do More Than Fill a Backpack

Our teachers overwhelmingly agree that free school supplies are very important, sometimes critical, to student success.

to create a more equitable learning environment for all.

for class preparedness in my students.

to meet my students’ daily educational needs.

In fact, our teachers consistently describe free supplies from A Gift for Teaching as one of the most effective ways to remove barriers to learning. They say these resources help strengthen student confidence, increase interest in learning, and reduce financial stress on families – including their own.

When students have the tools they need, they can focus on learning instead of worrying about what they’re missing. While teachers are doing everything they can, they shouldn’t have to carry this burden alone. Support the educators and future leaders in our community today!

Your Support Makes a Difference

As another school year begins, you have the opportunity to make a difference in our community.

For students, having access to school supplies means more than checking items off a list. It means raising a hand to answer a question, not ask for a pencil. It means completing homework at home and walking into class prepared to learn every day, all year. Every $1 donated today can provide up to $10 worth of supplies!

A donation to A Gift for Teaching’s Ready for Back-to-School Supply Drive for Success provides essential educational resources to students and teachers throughout Central Florida all year long. Together, we can help close the supply gap, support hardworking educators, and give every student the opportunity to succeed from day one.

Make your gift today to help empower educators and inspire future leaders in Central Florida.