Frequently Asked Questions

Who We Serve

---

Can KINF donate school supplies directly to my children?

Our programs provide supplies directly to under-resourced schools. We encourage you to connect with your child’s teacher, counselor, or principal about supplies for your child or for other local resources that could assist you.

If educators at your school express interest, we can connect with them to see if schools in their district meet the criteria to receive support from our programs. 

 

My students attend charter schools; do you have options for them as well?  

The resource centers mostly serve schools in their local communities where 70 percent or more of students are enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Please check to see if there is a resource center in your area that supports your school.

 

Can you send my homeschooled children school supplies?

At this time we do not offer programs for homeschooling families, as our programs are designed to work directly with teachers and schools. 

We recommend reaching out to your local community social worker for available resources.

 

I’m a teacher. How do I apply to receive school supplies?

Teachers can receive products via our resource centers.  For teachers who do not have a resource center nearby, they can apply to Kids In Need Foundation's Supply A Teacher program, as well as apply for our retail programs. Driven by our generous partners, Kids In Need Foundation's retail programs offer an opportunity for teachers in underserved schools to receive free items for their classrooms. As our retailers transition seasonal items and make shifts in inventory, those products are set aside to be donated to local, under-resourced schools.

 

How do I get school supplies from a Resource Center?

Each member of the National Network of Resource Centers operates under its own unique guidelines for distributing supplies, focusing on supporting teachers and students in schools with an enrollment of 70 percent or more participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Please contact the resource center closest to you to find out how to shop.

 

Can I get school supplies for my students if my school is not near a Resource Center?

We encouraged teachers from schools not serviced by the National Network of Resource Centers to apply for Kids In Need Foundation's Supply A Teacher program. We accept applications year-round.

 

Will KINF donate school supplies to my supply drive?  

We happily encourage school supply drives and offer support through best practices and printable poster and banner ideas. Check out our DIY School Supply Drive tips if you need help getting started. At this time, we are not able to provide supplies directly to you, as our school supplies are delivered to teachers and schools through our existing programs.

 

Will KINF donate or accept school supplies internationally?

While we know there is a great need for school supplies in many parts of the world, our foundation only serves students in the continental United States where the need is still so great. We suggest reaching out to World Vision, one of our partner organizations, for international assistance.

 

Can I get school supplies for the low-income families at the social service agency I work for?

Each resource center has its own way of distributing school supplies. Please contact the resource center closest to you to see if supplies may be available.

 

I asked one of your partner organizations for a donation and they told me to contact you. Can I get donations from you?

We partner with a number of organizations that donate supplies to help keep our resource center shelves stocked so teachers can shop for free. If you are a teacher, we encourage you to contact the resource center closest to you and confirm if your school is eligible to participate. Teachers from schools not serviced by the National Network of Resource Centers are encouraged to apply for Supply A Teacher boxes.