The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically increased the need for basic school supplies for students in Broward County schools. Business closures, lay-offs, reduced hours and more have made food and rent extremely difficult for many struggling families. Whether in the classroom, remotely learning or a hybrid model, one thing is certain. Now, more than EVER before, students in Broward County Public Schools will need basic school supplies.
Enter Broward Education Foundation. The only 501(c)3 charitable organization solely dedicated to serving students and teachers in Broward County Public Schools, Broward Education Foundation has pivoted to a virtual Back-to-School drive as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this unprecedented year, Broward Education Foundation is fundraising to provide safely sealed individual 18-piece basic school supply kits for students who attend 112 Title I elementary schools in Broward County.
“Broward Education Foundation is proven agile, adept and responsive to shifting needs in education and our community” said Tim Curtin, board chair of Broward Education Foundation. “We’ve had to completely reconfigure this annual campaign for maximum safety, and have made it seamless for anyone to sponsor an individual student, a class or an entire school. A gift of just $10 safely equips one student for success.”
Statistically, more than 90% of students in Broward’s top 40 Title I elementary schools are enrolled in free and reduced lunch programs; Pre-K -12 overall that number is 65%.
“Whether educating students in person or online, they all need basic school supplies,” said Shea Ciriago, executive director of Broward Education Foundation. “The impact of COVID-19 is reverberating throughout our community. It is more important now, than ever before, to keep students engaged, focused and learning.” Ciriago continued, “We hope we can count on the individuals and businesses who have not been impacted as strongly to support these children. Our students are resilient, but they can’t do it without us.”
The fundraising campaign runs through August 21st. To donate, please visit BrowardEducationFoundation.org/drive or Facebook.
