RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — Hundreds of students in Palm Beach County will receive free new school supplies next week thanks to the annual School Tools Program.
Year 20, red apple suppliesthis Palm Beach County Education Foundation‘s free teacher resource store partnered with Publix Super Markets to distribute more than $201,000 in essential school supplies to teachers from 120 Title I District schools.
Teachers and principals drove to the Red Apple supply store in Riviera Beach at 8 a.m. to pick up supplies provided by volunteers, forming a line that stretched around the building and onto the street.
Volunteers loaded cars with supplies and others served hot chocolate and candy.
🍎🎉📚Red Apple supplies, @educationFdnPBC The Free Teacher Resource Store is distributing more than $200,000 worth of essential school supplies to teachers in 120 Title I district schools. This generous donation is made possible by @Publix Supermarket’s School Tools Program! 💚 pic.twitter.com/zKhzWPQQw4
— Palm Beach County School District (@pbcsd) December 3, 2022
Education Foundation President Jim Moore also served as disc jockey for the event, while a barbershop quartet serenaded drivers as they waited for supplies. Santa Claus was even present.
Palm Beach County Superintendent Michael Burke said the campaign is especially necessary for the one in five students in school districts who live in poverty.
“This goes a long way toward making sure kids have the supplies they need to stay in the classroom,” Burke said.
Pahokee Junior High and High School Principal Dwayne Dennard echoed Burke’s words, emphasizing the need for supplies.
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Dennard said 99 percent of students at his two schools are on the free or reduced meal program, indicating significant financial need.
“Without these supplies, many of our children will not reach their full potential,” Dennard said. “We’re losing some kids because we don’t have these types of supplies. With inflation right now, this is a great opportunity for parents and students.”
Supplies distributed include everything from laptops to headphones.
Burke said the supplies will be distributed to students at the school next week.
