Governor Roy Cooper today kicked off the 2nd Annual Governor’s School Supply Drive to provide necessary supplies in support of public school students and teachers across the state. Gov. Cooper made the announcement at Thomasboro Academy in Charlotte and later discussed the supply drive at E.M. Rollins Elementary School in Henderson.
“Teachers shouldn’t have to dip into their own pockets to cover the cost of classroom supplies that their students need to learn,” said Gov. Cooper. “One day we’re going to convince the legislature to make a greater investment in public schools, but until then, we want to do everything we can to get students and teachers the supplies they need for a successful school year."
On average, teachers spend about $500 of their own money on supplies for their classrooms each year. For the past two years, Gov. Cooper’s proposed budget has included a $150 annual school supply stipend for every public school teacher in the state to help offset the cost of purchasing supplies. The North Carolina General Assembly did not include the teacher supply stipend in their budgets.
ABOUT GOVERNOR COOPER’S SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
Governor Cooper’s School Supply Drive will run from July 30th to August 17th, 2018. Requested Supplies include:
- Paper – all types
- Pens & Pencils
- USB Flash Drives
- Dry Erase Markers
- Spiral Notebooks
- Sanitizing Wipes
- Tissues
Donation bins will be available in state government buildings in Raleigh, businesses that partner with the North Carolina Business Committee on Education, and all SECU branch buildings across North Carolina.
Cooper encouraged North Carolina residents to participate by donating at a participating location or by organizing a drive at their own workplaces using the school supply drive kit. The kit that includes instructions for supply collection can be found HERE.
“When you’re shopping for your family’s school supplies, consider purchasing an additional item from our supply list and donating it at a drop off location,” Gov. Cooper said. “Businesses can also get involved by downloading our School Supply Drive Kit and collecting supplies in your workplace.”
As the drive wraps up, North Carolina communities and schools, as well as AmeriCorps volunteers, will distribute the supplies to classrooms across the state.
Governor Cooper’s School Supply Drive is offered in partnership between the North Carolina Governor’s Office, the North Carolina Business Committee on Education, State Employees Credit Union, and Communities In Schools.