The Issue: Lack of Preparation for the Start of School

Students who are chronically absent from school are more likely to underperform academically and fail to graduate on time, according to a report from the Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University. The report goes on to state that "the impact is twice as great for students from low-income families"—students that make up 87 percent of Chicago Public Schools' classes. To combat this risk, Chicago Public Schools distributes supplies and raises awareness of school's start date to help reduce absences and promote successful and timely graduation.

The Campaign: Distributing School Supplies to Students

All donations to this Grassroots campaign will be used by Chicago Public Schools to raise awareness about school's start date and help kids prepare for their first day. For every $5 raised, Chicago Public Schools can distribute a Kit for Kidz school-supplies pack to one randomly selected student from a low-income family. The kits are designed for two different age groups: elementary students receive 10 items, and high-school students receive 12 items. Spiral notebooks, pencils, and rulers from brands such as Staples, Acme, and Georgia-Pacific fill each corrugated box, giving students one less reason to stay home.

Donors do not receive kits; instead they help distribute required school supplies to underserved children.