Tools For Schools
Since 2003, the Tools for Schools program’s goal has been to fill the gap created by persistent systemic disparities in underserved neighborhoods across the Portland Metro Area. In many of these neighborhoods, parents often struggle to support their family’s basic needs, including food, housing, and medical care – making school supplies an unattainable luxury. The Tools for Schools program removes this barrier by providing equitable access to the academic tools that lead to academic, college and career readiness.
Tools for Schools 2023 was a success! Click here to learn about the schools and students who benefited from this essential program.
How It Works
At participating schools, every student receives a back-to-school kit filled with new school supplies. For many children, these may be the only new items that they receive all year. Supply kits are organized and filled with the appropriate supplies each student needs to start the school year, ready to succeed at every grade level.
Community Impact
Children served by the Tools for Schools program learn in academic environments with fewer resources and live in under-served communities. At the average Tools for Schools partner school, 86% of students participate in the National School Lunch Program and 76% are children of color.
Your support of the Tools for Schools program equips students with necessary school supplies, alleviates financial stress for their families and teachers, and benefits local communities.
“This is such a wonderful gift. My students were thrilled to have these supplies and we have been using them every day. Your generosity has made for a successful start of the year for my students and families. Thank you.”
In-Person Engagement: Tools for Schools Packing Event
The Tools for Schools Packing Event is the ultimate community engagement experience. Scheduled for August 2024, hundreds of volunteers will roll up their sleeves to pack over 10,000 back-to-school kits.
Principals and teachers love to tell their students about your hard work because it is important for students, and of course for teachers, to know that their community supports them and wants them to succeed. The Tools for Schools packing event is a visible and rewarding way for your team to come together for a volunteer experience and support youth, families and teachers in the Portland Metro Area at the same time.
JOIN US!
Join the effort that has put more than 215,500 back-to-school kits in the hands of under-resourced students in our community. The Tools for Schools program and packing event is a visible and rewarding way to support youth, families and teachers in the Portland Metro Area.
Please email connect@schoolhousesupplies.org to get connected with a Schoolhouse Supplies team member to discuss program sponsorship options.
Thank You to Our 2023 Partners!
