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.

When the Education Foundation began the funding for the first years of the program, assistance was given to regular full-time Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers in the public school system. Today, the program has grown to include all Pre-K through 5th Grade full-time public elementary school classrooms (art, music, reading and physical education teachers). Teachers use the vouchers for individual students in need as well as offsetting overall classroom supply cost. The Foundation is seeking funding to expand the program to all secondary classrooms.

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. 

The School Supply Fund programs are supported by:
Bank of America

Community  Church

Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Society
The George E. Warren Corporation
RBC Bank
Riverside National Bank
Employees of the School District of Indian River County
License for Learning Tags

Peace River Citrus Products
Proctor Construction
Publix Charities

The Business and Education Division of the Chamber of Commerce
Quail Valley Charities
William Bingham Foundation

To date, this program has invested over $370,000 in school supplies throughout Indian River County. During the 2008/2009 school year more than $35,000 will be distributed to over 700 classrooms and more than 2,000 backpacks will be distributed.