Winter has a way of revealing what classrooms truly need. The school year settles into its second half, routines are re-established and students are deeply engaged in learning, but behind the scenes the tools that make that connection possible—pencils, paper, notebooks and gluesticks—are already running low. 

For students like Valentina, there’s a quiet confidence that comes from feeling prepared. That feeling of readiness—of having what you need when you need it—can shape how a student shows up every day. That sense of readiness is something Valentina feels each time she enters her classroom. For her, school is a place where learning feels exciting and achievable and gives her the capabilities to foster her love of learning, reading (and spending time with her classmates!)

Connections with students like Valentina remind us why access to school supplies matters so deeply. When students feel prepared, they show up confidently and are able to engage fully. And ensuring that feeling lasts beyond the first months of school is where community support becomes essential.  

While the school year may feel finally settled by January, classrooms across the country are facing an all-to-familiar challenge: running out of school supplies.

According to Kids In Need Foundation’s Teacher Insights Survey, 75% of back-to-school supplies are depleted by winter break, and by the end of the year 96% of supplies have completely deplenished. Pencils wear down, notebooks fill up, markers dry out—and teachers are left stretching what’s left or reaching into their own pockets to fill in the gaps to make sure that learning never slows. 

As educator Cassie McLain shared, “I think sometimes there’s this idea that you get school supplies at the beginning of the year and it lasts the whole year. Even if kids bring school supplies at the beginning of the year, you go through pencils, you go through erasers, you go through markers, you go through notebooks—they’re using them!” 

That’s why mid-year support is so critical in keeping the learning going—and why the relationship between PNC Bank and Kids In Need Foundation continues to make such a meaningful difference. That commitment to supporting students will come to fruition in the near future when PNC and KINF come together at Heights Community School in St. Paul to deliver essential school supplies through the HALFTIME initiative, part of KINF’s Ready, Set, Restock campaign. 

Now in its fifth year, the collaboration focuses on ensuring classrooms remain fully equipped long after the excitement of back-to-school fades. This year alone, PNC and KINF will deliver 80 Pre-K Supply A Teacher (SAT) kits, supporting approximately 1,600 students across Minnesota with classroom-ready supplies designed for immediate use—so teachers could stay focused on instruction, not allocation.

PNC is going above and beyond to make their event even more special with the involvement of the Minnesota Gopher Hockey student-athletes, who will join the delivery team and lead storytime with Pre-K students. Their presence turns a supply delivery into a shared moment of community—one the students won’t soon forget. 

In December, PNC employees played a key role in helping pack and prepare the SAT kits so they will arrive at the school and be distributed quickly and efficiently. Through PNC Grow Up Great, the company’s $500 million, multi-year, bilingual initiative, PNC continues to support early learning and school readiness—helping young learners build strong foundations that last far beyond the classroom. 

As Kelly McQueen, PNC Regional President for Minnesota, shared, “The Halftime initiative reflects PNC’s commitment to helping children get a strong start in life. This program directly supports teachers and students and strengthens the communities we serve.” 

Together, these efforts ensure that teachers are supported, classrooms are prepared, and students like Valentina continue to show up feeling confident and ready to learn—no matter what month it is.

Make a difference, today!

Falling behind on supplies shouldn’t mean falling behind in learning.

Mid-year support plays a critical role in keeping classrooms equitable, and students confident and prepared—and partnerships like PNC’s help make that possible. By learning more, sharing our mission, or supporting classroom supply efforts, you help ensure students across the country have access to what they need all year long. 

Learn more about how Kids In Need Foundation supports classrooms nationwide, follow along as we share stories of impact, or donate to help restock supplies for students and teachers who need it most. 

Together, we can keep learning strong all year long.