Second Responder Program

Every year, devastating hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, and tornadoes destroy schools nationwide. These events tear through communities leaving shock and despair for those in the path of destruction. For children, it means starting over and, in some cases, replacing all of their personal belongings. These small items, like a backpack or a notebook, can take on huge significance to a child.

What We Do

The Kids In Need Foundation’s Second Responder® program is dedicated to providing school supplies to students affected by natural disasters. We work with local authorities, schools, and select sponsors to help them return to normal routines. During the last 4 years, we have:

• Provided thousands of backpacks filled with new school supplies directly to affected students
• Worked with several Fortune 500 companies to expand efforts to bring school supplies to affected schools and students
• Assisted countless devastated schools supporting more than 15,000 students
• Launched a new program to provide teacher totes to help impacted teachers with supplies

Unlike those providing the critical necessities of food, shelter, and medical aid after a disaster, our Second Responder® program operates during the recovery period following the devastation. We try to bring a little hope and a reminder that things will get better with time when we work together.

How You Can Help

You can easily make a donation that will supply a student, several students, or even a classroom full of students!

Learn More

• Check out some of our recent Case Studies.
• The aftermath of a disaster can last for months or even years. Read this article about why it so important to help get schools operational again.
• Disasters may have a long lasting and distressing impact on children, according to reports from the National Association of School Psychologists and FEMA.
• Young people who live through a disaster may be further upset by media coverage of that disaster, and youth living far from a disaster area can become afraid or worried by media coverage of a disaster that occurs somewhere else. – U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services.
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Disaster Reading List
• Have additional questions, email us to learn more