Kids In Need Foundation National Network of Resource Centers is comprised of mission-aligned organizations that provide educators with free access to essential classroom supplies through “Free Teacher Store” models—helping ensure students have the tools they need to learn and thrive. From local community partnerships to nationwide reach, each center plays a vital role in supporting under-resourced schools, empowering teachers, and strengthening educational equity. Discover the stories, services, and impact of the dedicated partners making a difference in classrooms every day.

What do you do really well that you’d love others to know more about? 

At The Education Partnership, we are exceptionally strong at being both efficient and deeply relational at the same time. But what really sets us apart is the joy we bring to the work.

Educators can come to The Education Partnership, navigate our Teacher Resource Center efficiently, and get what they need. Our systems are thoughtful and streamlined. But the experience is never transactional. Teachers are greeted by name. We ask about their students, their classrooms, and the project they are dreaming up for students. We celebrate with them when they find the exact book series their class loves or the perfect materials for a hands-on science lesson.

There is laughter in our aisles. There are high fives over great finds. There is visible relief when a teacher realizes they do not have to spend their own money again this week. That is the joy in the work. It is not performative. It is rooted in respect and shared purpose. At The Education Partnership, we believe teachers are professionals who know their students best. Our role is to remove barriers and make it easier for them to do what they already do so well.

What are your biggest challenges? 

At The Education Partnership, we are constantly asking ourselves: how do we serve the most people with the most good using the resources we have, including time, talent, money, and space? It is a daily balancing act. We serve hundreds of schools, multiple districts, and thousands of educators and students, each with unique needs. A kindergarten classroom in one district looks very different from a high school science lab in another. We do our best to match those needs thoughtfully and equitably, knowing we cannot always say yes to everything.

When more educators qualify to shop at The Education Partnership, that is not just growth. It is a reflection of deeper funding inequities in school systems. And as eligibility expands, so does the pressure on staffing, infrastructure, and sustainability.

Another ongoing challenge for The Education Partnership is helping people understand that school supply gaps are not simple, short-term problems. They are tied to systemic funding disparities, student mental health, attendance, workforce development, and long-term economic mobility. A lack of supplies affects how students feel in a classroom. It affects whether teachers can implement creative lessons. It affects readiness for future careers.

Translating that complexity without overwhelming people is work we take seriously. At The Education Partnership, we want to tell the full story while still keeping it clear and actionable. Because the more people understand the depth of the challenge, the more they understand why this work matters and why continued investment in The Education Partnership is essential.

Please share 1-2 moments where you really felt the impact of your work. 

One moment that deeply moved us came from a teacher in a low-income district where all students receive free breakfast and lunch. She shared that she works two full-time jobs just to pay her bills. The supplies she receives from The Education Partnership are one of the few areas she does not have to worry about financially. That statement stopped us.

When an educator working two jobs can breathe a little easier because classroom supplies are covered, that is an impact. When a parent signs paperwork in crayon because there is no pen at home, and a teacher can now send one home with every form, that is an impact. Those small, practical shifts restore dignity to families and reduce the invisible stress on teachers. We are not just filling classrooms. We are easing burdens that most people never see.

Another moment came from a counselor who received backpacks and supply kits through The Education Partnership. She tells students, “If you need something, come to me, even if it is for a sibling in another building.” Because she has those materials on hand, she can respond immediately. She shared that being able to quietly provide a backpack or pencil pack helps alleviate the stigma of poverty for her students. No announcements. No spotlight. Just care.

We have also heard from teachers who say something as simple as having enough pencils for the entire year changed the tone of their classroom. No more disruptions. No more anxiety when a pencil breaks. Students’ faces light up when they are handed brand-new supplies. They take pride in their work because they feel prepared.

Those are the moments when we feel the impact most clearly. When relief replaces embarrassment. When preparedness replaces panic. When teachers say, “What did we do before The Education Partnership?”

That is when we know this work is not about stuff. It is about dignity, confidence, and making sure students walk into classrooms ready to learn, and teachers who are ready to teach.

Tell us about some of your annual events. 

At The Education Partnership, we have a few anchor moments each year that truly feel like the heartbeat of our work.

Teacher Summer Camp is one of our most energizing events. It is not just a supply distribution. Educators walk into The Education Partnership at the end of a long school year and leave feeling recharged for the next one. They stock their classrooms, attend professional learning sessions, connect with peers, and experience what it feels like to be supported instead of stretched thin.

What makes Teacher Summer Camp especially meaningful at The Education Partnership is that it is also a give-back moment. Educators volunteer while they are here. They help restock shelves, share in focus groups, assemble kits for other educators, write notes to fellow teachers, or support behind-the-scenes logistics. There is something powerful about teachers serving teachers. It reinforces that The Education Partnership is not just a resource center; it is a community hub where educators contribute to one another’s success.

Our Teacher Appreciation Awards are another powerful moment. Through The Education Partnership, we shine a spotlight on educators who are leading with creativity and resilience in under-resourced schools. These awards are joyful and emotional, and they remind our whole community that behind every supply box is a teacher making extraordinary things happen for students.Throughout the year, The Education Partnership also hosts volunteer build days, corporate engagement events, and seasonal drives. Whether people are assembling Adopt-A-School kits, organizing STEAM materials, or stocking shelves in the Teacher Resource Center, they leave understanding that The Education Partnership is not just distributing supplies. We are strengthening classrooms and building community across our region.