The Board of Directors of the Kids In Need Foundation announces the continuation of its services to children most in need while the association that established it is restructuring itself. Founded 12 years ago by the School, Home, & Office Products Association (SHOPA), the Foundation provides free school supplies to 1.5 million children and 100,000 teachers annually.
While SHOPA goes through a process of determining future direction and activities, the Foundation will continue to conduct business as the Kids In Need Foundation.
“There is no question about whether or not the Kids In Need Foundation is continuing,” said Kathy Hirko, chair of the Kids In Need Board of Directors and owner of a long time SHOPA member company, KAZ Company. “The Foundation is funded exclusively by donations from corporations and individuals, and the mandate from our donors is that we continue to provide school supplies to kids who need them.”
The Kids In Need Foundation anticipates serving its 10 millionth student during the 2007-2008 academic year by providing free school supplies through a national network of 24 Resource Centers. Teachers come to the Centers to obtain supplies needed by children whose parents are unable to purchase them.
Already this year, the Foundation has distributed $29 million worth of product donated by or purchased with funds donated by corporations and individuals, a 20 percent increase over the total amount distributed in 2006.
In addition, the Foundation conducts the Kids In Need Teacher Grants program, awarding more than $100,000 each year to teachers. The Teacher Grants are offered through sponsoring retail chains and education credit unions that support the program through financial donations and back-to-school promotions. The intent of the grants is to offer educators the opportunity to teach original, innovative projects for which no other funding is available. All certified kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers in the U.S. are eligible to apply.
“With the support of our corporate partners and our dedicated staff and volunteers, the Kids In Need Foundation will be serving children and teachers for many years to come,” said Hirko. “We are enthusiastically looking forward to seizing new opportunities and forming additional partnerships with companies and individuals who care deeply about giving kids a better chance to succeed.”
The Kids In Need Foundation is a national non-profit organization providing school supplies to impoverished children and under-funded teachers. A 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 1995, the Foundation’s mission is to ensure that every child is prepared to learn and succeed by providing free school supplies nationally to students most in need. The Kids in Need Foundation has distributed more than $300 million in school supplies since its founding and has awarded nearly $900,000 in grants to teachers. For more information, visit www.kidsinneed.net.