Minneapolis, Minn. (April 10, 2020) – Since the closing of schools across the country, the need for basic school supplies, particularly for students without access to technology or the internet, is greater than ever. Through new and existing distribution channels, Kids In Need Foundation (KINF) continues to serve students nationwide and will be extending that effort in partnership with BICⓇ and WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil (Thaddeus Bullard) with the #PostForPencils campaign. Through April 26, 2020,* thanks to BIC’s generosity and support, for every post on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok that includes #PostForPencils, 20 pencils will be provided to underserved students by @kidsinneed. Maximum donation is up to 1.5 million pencils. The goal is for 50,000 posts to secure 1 million pencils. For more information, visit KINF.org/PostForPencils.
As students have transitioned from a traditional brick and mortar classroom to the kitchen table in their homes, the “homework gap” is becoming more and more evident nationwide. In the U.S., approximately 12 million children live in poverty, 2.5 million kids are homeless and more than 5 million households with school-age children do not have a high-speed internet connection at home. For students without that access, the basics become even more paramount in the ability to continue their education.
In an effort to close this gap, the commitment by KINF and its partners to continue to provide school supplies to marginalized students remains resolute. With every post, the pencils donated by BICⓇ will provide the foundational writing instrument to students – one that has communicated critical thoughts and ideas that have changed the world, as well as served as a tool in developing dexterity and fine motor skills.
Year-after-year in KINF teacher surveys, the pencil is the most requested item. Most recently, through the annual questionnaire and a COVID-19-focused inquiry to a combined 40,000+ teachers nationwide, the result is the same: pencils are the no. 1 sought-after item.
“Everyone today has been impacted by the global pandemic. During these challenging times we are particularly proud to team up with corporate leaders like BICⓇ to rally around underserved kids and teachers, through the #PostForPencils campaign,” said Corey Gordon, CEO of KINF. “The closing of schools across the country shines a spotlight on the digital divide here in America, and basic school supplies and resources, such as pencils, are needed more than ever.”
“At BIC, we believe in providing simple, inventive, reliable choices for everyone, everywhere, every time. And we believe in doing so responsibly – with the planet, society and future generations in mind,” said Mary Fox, General Manager of BIC North America. “Ensuring that our children have access to quality education is a fundamental part of putting this belief into action, and that starts with making sure students have the right tools for their schoolwork. We’re honored to continue our partnership with the Kids in Need Foundation to make an impact in our communities through the #PostForPencils campaign.”
“I’m proud to work with Kids In Need Foundation and BIC on the #PostForPencils campaign as it complements the work of the Bullard Family Foundation in providing children with resources to help them build their futures,” said Bullard. “Especially as we face this pandemic together, the support for at-hope youth is needed more than ever. In addition to providing critical supplies, #PostForPencils also brings to light the large number of students who are impacted by the technological divide and the importance of helping them continue to learn.”
For more information about the KINF and its programs, please visit www.kinf.org.
About Kids In Need Foundation:
The Kids In Need Foundation’s mission is to ensure that every child is prepared to learn and succeed in the classroom by providing free school supplies nationally to students most in need. The only national organization focused on serving students and teachers in schools with a population of 70% or more enrolled in the federal government’s free and reduced lunch program, the Kids In Need Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 1995 and has distributed $1 billion in school supplies since the Foundation’s inception. For more information, visit https://www.kinf.org/, and join us on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram: @KidsInNeed.
About BICⓇ:
BICⓇ is a world leader in stationery, lighters and shavers. For 75 years, BIC has honored the tradition of providing high‐quality, affordable products to consumers everywhere. Through this unwavering dedication BICⓇ has become one of the most recognized brands and is a trademark registered worldwide for identifying BICⓇ products which are sold in more than 160 countries around the world. In 2018, BIC Net Sales were 1,949.8 million euros. The Company is listed on “Euronext Paris” and is part of the SBF120 and CAC Mid 60 indexes. BICⓇ is also part of the following Socially Responsible Investment indexes: CDP A list and CDP “Supplier Engagement rating Leader board”, Euronext Vigeo – Eurozone 120, Euronext Vigeo – Europe 120, FTSE4Good indexes, Ethibel Pioneer and Ethibel Excellence Investment Registers, Ethibel Sustainability Index (ESI) Excellence Europe, Stoxx Global ESG Leaders Index.
About the Bullard Family Foundation:
The Bullard Family Foundation was started in 2018 by Thaddeus Bullard aka WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil. Its mission is to provide families and children everywhere with moments, programs and resources to help build character and improve outcomes in communities. The Foundation is headquartered in Tampa, FL. Visit bullardfamilyfoundation.org. Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/bullardfamilyfoundation/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/BFFTampa • Instagram: @bfftampa
*Through April 26, 2020,* thanks to BIC’s generosity and support, for every post on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok that includes #PostForPencils, 20 pencils will be provided to underserved students by @kidsinneed. Maximum donation is up to 1.5 million pencils.