Gearing up for the 2010-11 school year…

It’s time to head back to school for many children in the Inland Empire.  Time for new backpacks, lunch boxes, notebooks and pens.  But for thousands of local children whose families are struggling financially, new school supplies come second to putting food on table.

Fortunately, that is where Inland Empire United Way’s School Tools program comes into play.  Through our Teacher Resource Center, we are preparing to arm thousands of low-income students in our community with brand new school supplies to help support their academic success.

As one teacher stated, “Some students are coming to class without a lot of sleep.  They worry about their parents’ situation.  Clothes are being worn until raggedy and thin.  I try to make my classroom as happy and safe as possible, all the while trying teach them lifelong educational and coping skills, and supplies from your program give me some extras to help me do just that.  Thank you!”

IEUW’s Teacher Resource Center.  Last year, 23,170 disadvantaged students benefited from the School Tools Program!

For information on donating supplies or volunteering for School Tools, please contact Meghan Meade at volunteer@ieuw.org or 909-980-2857 ext. 227.