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FeedSchool Supply Drive to Benefit Oklahoma City Public Schools Children
Team Up OKC, a two-week community-wide school supply drive to benefit students and teachers in Oklahoma City Public Schools, will take place September 17-28.
From September 17-28 school supply donations can be dropped off at participating American Cleaners, Panera Bread and Bank of Oklahoma locations. A full list of drop-off sites and a “wish list” of needed items are available at www.TeamUpOKC.com.
When the drive is over, all donations will be delivered to the Teachers Warehouse at The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools.
“The business community recognizes that the needs of our students and teachers are more than schools can meet on their own,” said Michael Morrison, the owner of Comtech who is spearheading the drive. “We want to help students and teachers and make the community aware that our schools have many unmet needs.”
Teachers in Oklahoma City Public Schools can place online orders on a monthly basis for the supplies their students need most. White copy paper, crayons, markers, glue, safety scissors, backpacks and construction paper are some of the most requested items.
Since its inception in 2008, Teachers Warehouse has distributed more than $1 million in free supplies to Oklahoma City classrooms. The vast majority of the school district’s students and their families live at or near the poverty line and struggle to provide even the most basic supplies. Teachers often try to fill the gap themselves – an expensive proposition. Through the warehouse, the Foundation seeks to close the gap between what students and teachers have and what they need to be successful.
Teachers Warehouse operates 10 months out of the year in recognition that the need for supplies continues throughout the school year. Even with generous Teachers Warehouse sponsors including Chesapeake Energy, Devon Energy and OG&E, the demand for supplies exceeds donations, particularly as the school year creeps toward the holidays.
The warehouse typically “sells out” of copy paper, hand sanitizer and other high-demand items within minutes after the monthly ordering period opens. Hundreds of volunteers are required to conduct inventory, unload and sort donations and pack orders.
“Teachers Warehouse is one way to show students and teachers that the Oklahoma City community supports them,” said Lori Dickinson, the Foundation’s president. “Students needed basic materials if we expect them to be ready and prepared to learn.”
Sponsors of the TeamUpOKC drive include Comtech, Farmers Insurance Group, Oklahoma City Barons, Bank of Oklahoma, FAA Credit Union, T&S Web Design, American Cleaners, Panera Bread, Oklahoma Gazette, OKC Biz, Clear Channel Communications, Feed the Children, Hertz, Red Bud Financial Group and The Journal Record.
