Qualifying Teachers and Schools Access Local Resource Center, Leaving with $540 in Free Classroom Supplies on Average
Kids In Need Foundation's Teacher Resource Center (TRC), located in Roseville, MN, welcomes teachers back for the start of the new school year. Local teachers at qualifying schools are invited to shop for back-to-school supplies at no cost. By offering free school supplies and classroom resources, the TRC supports teachers and ensures students have access to the resources necessary to start the school year engaged and excited.
All teachers from Minnesota schools where at least 50% of students are eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) can shop for free at the TRC. This initiative specifically supports teachers in the most under-resourced schools, hoping to relieve the financial strain of purchasing school supplies out of their own paychecks—a challenge they frequently encounter.
Historically, teachers who shop at the TRC leave with an average of $540 in supplies and resources each visit. Given most resources and supplies are used up during the course of a school year and need to be replenished, teachers are invited to shop for free once every quarter, ensuring they and their students have access to needed supplies for the entire year.
The TRC offers a diverse selection of essential school supplies and classroom resources, specifically tailored to what teachers need for their students and their classrooms, as identified through annual teacher surveys. Core items such as pencils, notebooks, crayons, folders, colored markers, pencils, are just some of the essential supplies that are requested and are available to help teachers create dynamic and interactive learning environments.
In addition to these core supplies, the TRC also stocks personal hygiene items, books, educational games, and classroom decor, all relevant products that are generously donated by Kids In Need Foundation’s (KINF) many corporate partners. The TRC also supports sustainability initiatives by helping partners convert surplus and end-of-season inventory into valuable resources that enhance creativity, learning, and positive classroom environments.
KINF is currently seeking funding to expand its facilities, looking to develop a 60,000-square-foot distribution center to serve teachers and students throughout the entire state of Minnesota. The expanded facilities will continue to serve as a retail store where teachers from underserved schools can shop for supplies at no cost. Additionally, the center will provide a training site for teacher workshops, continuing education, and professional development. The expanded infrastructure will also enhance KINF's ability to support specialized programs such as RISE: Rural and Indigenous School Equity, addressing unique challenges faced by these communities and increasing support for students statewide.
Kids In Need Foundation's Teacher Resource Center relies on the strong support of local and national corporate donors. These generous contributions enable KINF to provide free school supplies and resources to teachers, creating equitable learning environments for under-resourced students. KINF is grateful for the ongoing support from its loyal donors and partners , who are making a difference in the lives of teachers and students every day.
For more information or to help support under-resourced teachers and students, visit www.kinf.org. If you are an educator interested in shopping with us, please contact educators@kinf.org.
About Kids In Need Foundation- Kids In Need Foundation helps create equitable learning spaces through the distribution of supplies and resources, investing in teachers and students in underserved schools. With the belief that every child in America should have equal opportunity and resources to engage in a quality education, Kids In Need Foundation focuses its programs and initiatives on teachers and students most under-resourced, those where 70 percent or more of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced-cost meals through the National School Lunch Program. In 2023, through its programs, National Network of Resource Centers, and coast-to-coast local partners, Kids In Need Foundation and our national network supported nearly 4 million students and 200,000 teachers in 13,000 under-resourced schools, with KINF distributing more than $42 million in free school supplies and classroom resources nationwide at no cost to schools or teachers. For more information, visit KINF.org, and join us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter: @KidsInNeed.
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