Communities Raise $46K in Supplies for Teachers in 2025

Community Support for Teachers Through the 2025 Share Your School Supplies Drive

The community has once again demonstrated its strong support for teachers through the 2025 Share Your School Supplies Drive, which benefits the Houston Food Bank's School Programs. This initiative is making a significant difference in ensuring that students have access to essential school supplies.

It's not too late to contribute. You can help by fulfilling the food bank's Amazon wish list, texting "SYSS2025" to 71777, or donating online. So far, the drive has raised $46,682.82 in cash and school supply donations across Houston, Galveston, Richmond/Rosenberg, Spring, and Sugar Land. Some locations even filled two school buses worth of supplies.

Galveston was one of the standout areas, thanks to firefighters who went above and beyond their duties. Rob Garcia from the Galveston Firefighters Association shared that the group plans to give away $2,000 over the year through their charitable foundation. He emphasized that as firefighters, they believe in giving back to educators and other community organizations that help build the community.

Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds also recognized the importance of providing school supplies. A Texas A&M University student helping at the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center in Spring told ABC13 that donating supplies is crucial because education requires the right resources. Volunteers at the Ismaili Jamatkhana in Beaumont also contributed by putting together a truck full of supplies.

Local Impact and Continued Support

The supplies collected stay local, benefiting teachers in various regions. In Rosenberg, much of the support will remain within Lamar CISD. Dr. Roosevelt Nivens, the superintendent of Lamar CISD, highlighted that students are the most precious commodity and that the supplies help ensure that every child has what they need. With the recent ban on digital devices, pens, paper, hand sanitizer, folders, and tissues became some of the most needed items.

The 2025 drive, now in its second year, was sponsored by Amazon and Terry Bryant. Eyewitness News anchors and reporters went live from multiple collection sites on August 8. Vickie Yakunin, head of community engagement at Amazon, mentioned that employees are passionate about education and want to support students and teachers. Art Rascon, a spokesperson for Terry Bryant and former ABC13 anchor, noted that many students lack basic supplies like pens and pencils, and this initiative helps build their confidence.

Challenges and the Need for Continued Support

In 2024, the community raised nearly $30,000 in cash and individual school supply donations. The current drive comes at a critical time as the Houston Food Bank faces $11 million in federal funding cuts, which significantly impacts its ability to assist those in need. According to the food bank, teachers spent an average of $800 to $1,000 of their own money on school supplies in Fiscal Year '24.

The need for school supplies remains high. According to the National Education Association, over 90% of teachers spend their own money on supplies. In Texas alone, educators spent nearly $300 million on pencils, folders, notebook paper, and other essentials in 2023. Many families also struggle to provide supplies for their children, with 62% of students arriving without necessary supplies on the first day of school.

Rising Costs and Teacher Struggles

Supply costs have risen sharply. A 2022 CNN Business report showed that 3M’s Scotch tape prices increased by nearly 70%, Sharpies by 55%, and Elmer's Glue by 30%. BIC pens were also 12% more expensive. A 2025 survey by Adopt A Classroom found that teacher out-of-pocket spending reached $895 during the 2024-2025 school year, up 49% since 2015. Twenty percent of teachers reported working a second job, a number that has increased by 25% since 2023.

Most teachers identified paper, pencils, and markers as the most needed supplies. Texas teachers spent an average of $935, while Kentucky teachers spent the most at $1,328.

Benefits of Supporting Teachers

Supporting teachers directly helps students and their families. When students have the right supplies, their confidence grows, and their interest in learning develops. One teacher noted that having materials helped level the playing field for all students and reduced bullying.

Forty-five percent of teachers surveyed by the Kids in Need Foundation considered leaving the profession in 2023 due to feeling under-resourced. However, there is always an opportunity to make a difference.

Most Needed School Supplies

Here are the most needed supplies:

• Crayons
• Highlighters
• Markers
• Pencils
• Folders
• Pens
• Composition Books
• Spiral Notebooks
• Post-It Notes
• Filler Paper
• Pencil Cases
• Lysol Wipes
• Scissors
• Glue Bottles
• Hand Sanitizer
• Glue Sticks
• Kleenex
• Paper Towels
• Antibacterial Wipes

Benefiting Schools and Districts

The following schools and districts are benefiting from the drive:

• AAMA Sanchez Charter School
• Aldine ISD
• Alief ISD
• Alvin ISD
• Angleton ISD
• Brazosport ISD
• Channelview ISD
• Cleveland ISD
• Cypress Fairbanks ISD
• Dayton ISD
• Dickinson ISD
• East Chambers ISD
• Fort Bend ISD
• Galena Park ISD
• Galveston ISD
• Goose Creek ISD
• Harris County Department of Education
• Hitchcock ISD
• Houston ISD
• Houston Gateway Academy Charter School
• Humble ISD
• International Leadership of Texas
• KIPP Houston Public Schools
• Katy ISD
• Klein ISD
• Lamar Consolidated ISD
• Pasadena ISD
• Pearland ISD
• Responsive Education
• Royal ISD
• San Francisco Nativity Academy
• SER- Ninos
• Sealy ISD
• Sheldon ISD
• Small Steps Charter School
• Southwest Schools
• Spring Branch ISD
• Spring ISD
• Texas City ISD
• The Rhodes School
• Trinity ISD
• Varnett ISD
• Yes Prep
• Yellowstone Academy