RIVIERA BEACH, Florida. Hundreds of students in Palm Beach County will receive free new school supplies next week through the annual Tools for Schools program.
For the 20th year red apple supplies, Palm Beach County Educational FoundationThe Free Teacher Resource Store, in partnership with Publix Super Markets, distributed over $201,000 worth of essential school supplies to teachers from 120 Title I schools.
Teachers and principals arrived at the Red Apple store in Riviera Beach as early as 8 a.m. to receive supplies from volunteers, lining up long enough to bypass the building and continue down the street.
Volunteers loaded trucks with groceries while others handed out hot chocolate and sweets.
🍎🎉📚 RED APPLE SUPPLIES, @EDUCATIONFDNPBC FREE TEACHER RESOURCE STORE, DISTRIBUTING OVER $200,000 WORTH OF ESSENTIAL SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO TEACHERS FROM 120 TITLE I SCHOOLS. THIS GENEROUS DONATION WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY @PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PROGRAM!💚 PIC.TWITTER.COM/ZKHZWPQQW4
— PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT (@PBCSD) DECEMBER 3, 2022
Educational Foundation Chairman Jim Moore also acted as a disc jockey for the event, while a barbershop quartet serenaded drivers as they waited for supplies. Santa Claus even attended the event.
Palm Beach County Superintendent Michael Burke said the event is especially needed for one in five students in the district living below the poverty line.
“It goes a long way to ensure kids have everything they need to stay in the classroom,” Burke said.
Duane Dennard, director of Pahoka Middle and High Schools, echoed Burke’s words, emphasizing the need for supplies.
VPTVDuane Dennard, director of Pahoka Middle and High Schools, explains the importance of free school supplies for his students.
Dennard said 99% of students at his two schools receive free or reduced-price meals, indicating significant financial need.
“Without these materials, many of our children cannot achieve their full potential,” Dennard said. “We have lost some children because we did not have such supplies. This is a great opportunity for parents and students in the current inflation.”
Consumables distributed included everything from laptops to headphones and more.
Burke said the materials will be distributed to school students next week.