Bridging Gaps with the School Supplies Closet - 2023 & 2024 in Review

I. Introduction

• The School Supplies Closet is an organization designed to collect new and used school supplies and distribute them to underfunded schools and students in need. Our purpose is to fill the gap in educational resource materials, promote equity, and give all students the necessary tools to achieve success academically.

• Access to school essentials makes all the difference in promoting student success and guaranteeing equity in education. With their needs met, students have improved confidence, become more engaged, and better prepared to learn, enabling them to perform better academically and be more included in the classroom.

  
  

The School Supplies Closet is a Union County-based nonprofit that collects new and gently used school supplies and distributes them to needy schools. We fill the gap between the haves and have-nots by giving our students every possible tool for their educational success and promoting equity among the student body. We have donated over $3,000 worth of supplies in the last two years, and it is our mission to help students while easing some of the financial burdens placed on teachers and families for a more inclusive learning environment.

II. Why Our Mission Matters

• A 2022 study by NCES reports that more than 50% of students from low-income families have faced situations where they could not complete homework simply because they lacked necessary basic school materials.

• A study conducted by the Education Trust records that students unable to access the core materials are 30% less likely to meet the grade-level standard in major subjects like mathematics and reading.

• A 2023 poll by the National Education Association estimated that 94% of public school teachers spend their own money on classroom supplies, averaging about $500 to $600 every year.

• Teachers in underfunded districts are spending even more, with some reporting that they spend more than $1,000 a year to ensure their students get basic materials.

The inadequacy in providing school supplies has brought many students in low-income areas a great deal of challenges. This is proven in the sense that students who do not have major materials like notebooks, pencils, and calculators usually lag behind their peers, leading to poor engagement and reduced academic performance. Furthermore, underfunded school teachers often spend hundreds of dollars each year to make up for the shortages, further proof that community-driven support is very essential.

• Studies by the Kids in Need Foundation have indicated that if students have basic school supplies needs met, they are 85% more likely to be actively engaged in the classroom and on time with assignments.

• When students are well-resourced, they feel more confident and therefore have higher self-esteem, which in turn leads to a better attitude toward learning.

• After receiving supplies from The School Supplies Closet, the principal at Porter Ridge Elementary told us, “You don’t know how much this means to the kids” providing an opportunity for underprivileged children to not worry about basic school supply necessities.

Access to basic supplies can make a huge difference in the learning and self-esteem of a student. For instance, some students reported that through donations from The School Supplies Closet, they feel more prepared for class and motivated. Teachers also appreciated the effort, citing that the availability of supplies allows them to focus more on teaching rather than resource management. These contributions have provided a tangible ripple effect, whereby ensuring equitable access to resources promotes success and provides all with a sense of community toward learning.

III. Donation Highlights

• A. Unionville and Marshville Elementary Schools

  • Date: December 15, 2023

  • Over $500 worth of school supplies, including notebooks, folders, pencils, and markers, were delivered to Unionville and Marshville Elementary Schools. The donation ensured students had new supplies to begin the second half of the academic year with confidence.

• B. Union County Public Schools

  • Date: July 31, 2024

  • A large-scale donation of over $1,000 in school supplies, including notebooks, folders, pencils, and markers, supported multiple schools in Union County Public Schools. This effort came just before the school year began, preparing students and schools for a productive year ahead.

• C. Forest Hills Elementary

  • Date: November 27, 2024

  • A donation of over $300 worth of supplies, including pencils, crayons, markers, erasers, and stickers, supported Forest Hills Elementary in Morganton, NC. This contribution provided much-needed assistance to a school impacted by Hurricane Helene.

• D. Porter Ridge Elementary

  • Date: December 20, 2024

  • More than $1,000 worth of school supplies, including notebooks, folders, pencils, and markers, restocked Porter Ridge Elementary. This Christmas donation provided the necessary tools for a successful start to the new semester.

IV. Conclusion

• We appreciate all the donors, volunteers, and community partners that make this possible. Your generosity has allowed us to distribute over $3,000 in supplies in just these two years and positively affect hundreds of students and teachers. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to building a better future for our kids.

The School Supplies Closet is a nonprofit organization based in Union County that provides new and gently used school supplies to underprivileged schools, with the mission of promoting educational equity and student success. School supplies are a very important part of learning, and their presence or absence can make a big difference in academic performance, confidence, and classroom engagement. Unfortunately, many low-income students lack access to these essential materials, creating barriers to their education. In underfunded schools, this burden often falls to the teachers, who must fill the gap out of their pocket. To this end, The School Supplies Closet has donated over $3,000 in school supplies in just two years. In turn, students will be prepared and motivated while relieving resource burdens on teachers. With such inequities being addressed, the organization is making a tangible difference in fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments.