Teachers Aid
Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Providing school supplies for teachers in low-income areas

Students, teachers and retailers across the country are preparing for back to school, and so is the Houston Food Bank! There are many children and families who can’t afford to purchase even the most basic school supplies. Without the proper tools to do the work, children are challenged to achieve academic success. Many compassionate teachers pay for school supplies out of their own pockets so that their students can have a more productive and efficient learning experience. One of the Houston Food Bank’s newest initiatives, the Teachers Aid program, aims to provide these children with the supplies they need to succeed.

The idea for the Teachers Aid program came about out of necessity: The Food Bank was receiving school supplies along with food donations, and needed an outlet to distribute the product back out into the community. After hearing about the Kids in Need Foundation, a national organization that endeavors to provide free school supplies for teachers and students most in need, the Food Bank decided to partner with them and join its national network of resource centers. The Teachers Aid program allows the Food Bank can use its existing resources to help teachers and families, which in turn allows them to spend their money on other necessities.

The Teachers Aid Center (located at the Food Bank’s Truck Facility) had a soft launch in January 2014, and was open on the fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. After just a few months, the program was averaging 70 teachers each day it was open. Participation in the program is limited to teachers at schools that participate in the Food Bank’s Backpack Buddy Program and that have a student population of 70% or greater receiving free or reduced lunch through the National School Lunch Program.

This year, the Teachers Aid Center will be open at least two Saturdays each month (typically the first and third Saturdays) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment only, beginning Saturday, August 23. The Food Bank hopes to fill all 240 available time slots each Saturday. In the future, the goal is to increase the hours the center is open in order to reach even more teachers, as well as looking into mobile distributions.

The Teachers Aid program is currently in need of volunteers. Volunteers can sign up for Teachers Aid volunteer shifts through the Houston Food Bank’s online registration calendar. During weeks the Teachers Aid Center is open, volunteers are needed every Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. During the week volunteer activities will include breaking down pallets and organizing product on shelves. On Saturdays volunteer activities will include checking customers in and out, aiding in shopping and restocking shelves.

For more information on Teachers Aid, contact Hayley Hewett at 713-547-8661.