School Supply Fund

This program began as a pilot program in 1995 in response to a series of articles in the Press Journal, and was developed to meet two objectives.

The first objective was to provide much needed supplies to students, thereby enabling them to better prepare for the academic challenges they would face in the coming school year. The second objective was to give teachers additional financial assistance. The hope is that this additional assistance will take the financial burden from teachers who used their personal funds to purchase school supplies for needy children.

This program meets the needs of students and teachers in two ways:

1.    The County Wide School Supply Drive:

In 2006 the program expanded to include the County-wide School Supply Drive (CWSD).  In the first year more than 708 backpacks filled with supplies were distributed to students in need.  The CWSD is led by the Education Foundation and supported by community partners. 

Each year more than 2,000 school supply kits are distributed by public schools to children in need. 

The Program is supported by private donations and proceeds from the License for Learning tag revenues.

2.    The Indian River County Lawyers Auxiliary "Tools to Learn School Supply Closet":

The Education Foundation and the Indian River County Lawyers Auxiliary are partnering to launch a new “Tools to Learn School Supply Closet” at the start of the 2010-2011 school year.

The goal is to offer another level of support to teachers.  A list of available supplies will be available on the Education Foundation website, www.edfoundationirc.org, beginning August 1, 2010.  Public primary and secondary schools in Indian River County will have the opportunity to make requests based on need.  Principals will review all requests made by their staff to avoid duplication or unnecessary submissions.  Requests will be reviewed on the 15^th of each month by a committee of volunteers from August 2010 – March 2011.

Through this partnership the Education Foundation and the Indian River County Lawyers Auxiliary hope to offer mini grants.  The grants will help to fund items not listed on the “Tools to Learn School Supply Closet” site.  Requesting schools will complete a form that will be available on the Education Foundation site.

Cash and in-kind donations can be made by calling the Education Foundation of Indian River County Office: (772) 564-0034 or by mailing a check made payable to the Education Foundation of IRC, P.O. Box 7046, Vero Beach, FL 32961.  Please note in the memo of the check, “Tools to Learn.”