The new school  year is officially underway! Thousands of students walked into class on the first day with new backpacks, ready to take on another year of learning. 

For some, those backpacks were filled with fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and colorful folders. For others, those bags might have been empty.

But imagine the light in their eyes when a stack of school supplies was waiting for them on their desk, all theirs to keep. While a backpack filled with supplies might just seem like pencils, notebooks, and folders, these “simple” items actually carry so much more. 

It’s preparedness. 

It’s confidence. 

It’s opportunity. 

It’s the feeling that YOU belong here.

When a student starts the school year with everything they need, they can focus on learning — not what they’re missing. They can dive into assignments, participate in class, and feel proud of their work. 

For children whose families can’t afford all the supplies on the back-to-school list, that backpack becomes a great equalizer. It means they can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their peers, ready to learn.

A set of markers can spark creativity. A notebook becomes the first chapter of their success story. And a backpack opens a door to more opportunities. For many students in our community, a teacher’s classroom is the only place they can access these essentials. 

Percent of Teachers Who Say Free Access to Supplies is Important for

RAISING A STUDENT’S CLASS PREPAREDNESS

94%

BOOSTING CONFIDENCE LEVELS

80%

INCREASING PROJECT VARIETY/SCOPE

87%

EQUITABLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

95%

Since 1998, A Gift for Teaching has helped teachers make these moments possible for their students – not just at the start of the school, but all year long. 

In just the first week of reopening our Free Teacher Supply Store this year, 567 teachers picked up 285,693 worth of free supplies for their classrooms. While that means hundreds of local classrooms now have the tools they need to start strong, there’s still a long way to go. 

Right now, every donor who becomes a Classroom Hero with a monthly gift creates lasting impact that teachers and students can count on all year long.

Your ongoing support provides more than just items in a backpack. The supplies your monthly donation provides make a statement that says: You matter. You belong. You can succeed.

Become a Classroom Hero today and help fill backpacks with preparedness, confidence, and opportunity – month after month. Because what’s in a backpack can change a child’s future.