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Can you help United Way provide NEW school supplies for children at United Way community schools? 

With the cost of living and inflation at an all-time high, many families with students at community schools, may not be able to afford new school supplies, whether it be book bags, ear buds, Expo markers, glue sticks, jumbo crayons, kids scissors, pencil pouches or water bottles.

Each United Way community school has unique challenges and opportunities to address non-academic barriers to learning, yet one dependable resource for helping students succeed is the ongoing support from neighbors, corporate partners and their employees, friends and alumni. This year, more than ever, community schools across Erie County need your help for the annual Community School Drive: Supplies for Success, which is running from July 21-28. We have worked to establish wish lists and an easy online donation option (please put CS Drive in the comments when submitting your online donation).

When students have the right tools to succeed in school from day one, it sets a positive tone for the entire school year. Your donation of school supplies, no matter how big or small, will help students feel prepared, confident and ready for the fall semester!

A recent NEA Today article detailed the challenges and burden of out-of-pocket spending on teachers.

One 2022 analysis estimates that this academic year, educators will spend more than $820 out-of-pocket on school supplies.