Every fall, teachers and students enter classrooms filled with fresh notebooks, sharp
pencils and the promise of discovery. Yet by January, most of those supplies have been used
up by students actively engaged in learning. Teachers across the country report that three-
quarters of the materials they receive at the start of the year are gone before winter break,
and 96 percent of donations are depleted by spring, according to Kids In Need Foundation’s
2025 Teacher Insights Survey.

The Hidden Cost of Teaching

When school budgets fall short, educators shoulder the burden. Second-grade teacher
Demetria Richardson told one reporter that she spends around $500 on back-to-school
supplies and expects to reach $1,200 by the end of September. Backpack giveaways help,
she said, but “none of this assistance stretches far enough to prevent teachers like her from
dipping into their own wallets to serve students.”

Emma García of the Learning Policy Institute points out that there is hardly another
profession where employees are expected to purchase materials for their clients. This isn’t about crayons and markers—it’s about educators sacrificing personal needs to give children a chance to learn.

Emma García of the Learning Policy Institute points out that there is hardly another
profession where employees are expected to purchase materials for their clients. This isn’t
about crayons and markers—it’s about educators sacrificing personal needs to give
children a chance to learn.

Joseph Schneider, principal of Liberty Park Elementary School in Florida, highlights the
problem from the school’s perspective. “The need, especially for teachers, is, as soon as
students run out of supplies—pencils, paper—parents don’t always know to send
replacements,” he explained. A mid-year restock program allows his teachers to replenish
materials so they aren’t forced to pay out of pocket. Without those deliveries, teachers use
their own money or go without.

Teachers’ Voices: Why Supplies Matter

“These may feel like little things—folders, pencils—but without them, students disengage.
Not having supplies is a direct cause of students feeling they don’t belong,” says a high-
school teacher from Kansas. With the right tools, students move from hesitation to
confidence, discovering their full potential in the classroom. “Having supplies, being
prepared, is a way for students to feel they do belong. It’s that simple.”

After two decades in a biology classroom, Cami Dahlstrom knows how quickly supplies
disappear. She’s staggered labs, shared resources and stretched budgets, but it’s not
enough. “With support from Kids In Need Foundation, I can put the right tools in my
students’ hands and focus on what matters most: making sure every child feels prepared,
capable and confident,” she explains. When microscopes are repaired and notebooks are
refilled, her students can see themselves as scientists instead of onlookers.

Eliza Fultz, an elementary teacher in Minnesota, believes meeting basic needs applies to
educators as well. “Before students can thrive, their basic needs must be met—and the
same is true for teachers,” she says. For her, that means not having to worry about supplies.
With Kids In Need Foundation’s help, Eliza can spend her energy nurturing curiosity and
growth rather than rationing pencils.

Peg Nelson sees supplies as a way to level the playing field. “Teaching reminds me that
learning never stops—I learn from my students as much as they learn from me,” she says.
Donated materials level the playing field and allow every child to grow, thrive and discover
that learning truly lasts a lifetime.

For Madison Tegusch, also from Minnesota, teaching is about empathy. “My students carry
challenges most people never see,” she says. She wants every child to walk into her
classroom feeling welcome, prepared and loved. With support from Kids In Need
Foundation, Madison can focus on building life skills rooted in compassion and shaping a
world that’s kinder for everyone.

When Autumn Giese began her teaching career, she quickly realized how much impact the right resources can make. Many of her students come to class eager to learn, and with the support of Kids In Need Foundation’s Teacher Resource Center (TRC), she’s able to ensure every one of them has the tools to do just that. “Learning that this place existed—number one, I didn’t believe it until I came here,”

When Autumn Giese began her teaching career, she quickly realized how much impact the
right resources can make. Many of her students come to class eager to learn, and with the
support of Kids In Need Foundation’s Teacher Resource Center (TRC), she’s able to ensure
every one of them has the tools to do just that. “Learning that this place existed—number
one, I didn’t believe it until I came here,” Autumn says, “And number two, I was so
impressed by the variety of supplies available. It’s always changing, always turning
over—it’s awesome.”

Concho Elementary School is located in one of the most economically challenged counties
in the United States, where some families face limited access to basic utilities like electricity
and running water. A staff member writes: “We were thrilled to receive your donated
classroom supplies. I cannot express the happiness you provided to our little school. These
supplies will help our students thrive. Thank you for making a difference.” In communities
like Concho, donations don’t just restock desks; they restore hope and support.

Why Corporate Support Matters

Corporate social impact isn’t just philanthropy—it’s smart investment. When children have
what they need to learn, they’re more likely to succeed academically, graduate and
contribute to a vibrant workforce. When educators aren’t forced to choose between their
own bills and their students’ notebooks, they remain in the classroom and innovate.
Companies that step in to fill this gap can share compelling stories of how their dollars
went to work. By intervening mid-year, corporate partners ensure that teachers and
students make it through the entire school year equipped and empowered.

Join the Movement

Kids In Need Foundation invites corporate leaders and individuals to be part of the Ready,
Set, Restock Campaign. Join us in providing the tools students need to write, draw, calculate
and dream from January through June. Whether you donate, sponsor a classroom supply
box or organize a team-packing event, your support will keep lessons flowing, creativity
blooming and teachers focused on teaching.

Together we can transform the 96 percent statistic into zero—because with the right
partners, no student’s pen will run dry and no teacher should have to pay for paper out of
their own pocket.