North Carolina Governor's School Supply Drive Open

North Carolina -- Through August 18, the Governor's School Supply Drive is open.

In North Carolina, a push is now in progress to get teachers and kids access to school supplies.

Through mid-August, the yearly Governor's School Supply Drive will be taking place. A news release from the governor's office stated that each year, teachers in the state spend about $500 of their own money on classroom equipment.

At State Employees' Credit Union locations all around North Carolina, donation bins are set up. 

In July, Roy Cooper announced at the beginning of the Governor’s School Supply Drive, encouraging people across the state to donate school supplies in support of public schools, students, and teachers. North Carolina teachers spend over $500 out of their own pockets for classroom supplies each year.

“As we fight for better teacher pay and more resources for public schools as the legislature debates the budget, it’s important to remember that teachers are already dipping into their own pockets to purchase classroom supplies for the new year,” said Governor Cooper. “Donating school supplies is a way to support our teachers while helping to give them the respect they deserve.”

The Governor’s proposed budget invests substantially in public schools and a sound basic education required by the constitution for every student with an average 18% teacher raise over the biennium and including funding to help hire more educators, nurses, counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and turnaround coaches.

"Communities In Schools affiliates across North Carolina know all too well how having the right tools to start the school year strong allows students to show up and engage in the classroom without unnecessary barriers to success,” said Jill Cox, President and CEO for Communities In Schools of North Carolina. “Everyone has the ability to ensure students start the school year strong by participating in the Governor’s School Supply Drive and dropping off school supplies at their local SECUs. Together, we can remove barriers to student success before students even enter the classroom this year.”

Requested supplies include:

Paper - all types, including copy paper
Pens and pencils
Crayons and markers
Dry erase markers
USB flash drives
Spiral notebooks
Sanitizing wipes
Tissues

Donation bins will be located in all State Employees’ Credit Union locations across the state. North Carolina residents can contribute by dropping off items at a SECU location or by organizing their own drive at their workplace.

At the conclusion of the drive, volunteers with Communities In Schools of North Carolina and VolunteerNC and Governor Cooper’s cabinet members will help distribute the supplies to public school classrooms across the state.

Governor Cooper’s School Supply Drive is offered in partnership between the North Carolina Governor’s Office, State Employees’ Credit Union, Communities In Schools of North Carolina, TeachNC, North Carolina Business Committee for Education, the North Carolina PTA and VolunteerNC (the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service).

WNCTimes