The normal “back-to-school” routine is anything but routine this year. School districts across Tarrant County differ greatly in terms of when they’ll start, in-class versus online options, and operating procedures. What hasn’t changed, however, is the need for school supplies. In fact, that need is greater than ever due to the economic impact COVID-19 has had on many families and schools having to shift more of their funding dollars to PPE items and safety initiatives.
Because many worksites and organizations continue to work remotely or in hybrid combinations, the normal cadence of supporting the community through school supply drives has also been impacted. But that hasn’t stopped Blue Zones Project and its many partners, like Fidelity Investments.
Fidelity Investments, a business innovator in our community, didn’t host their traditional employee school supply drive this year. Instead, rather than asking employees to purchase and donate supplies, the company provided a grant which would be allocated for supplies via a partnership with Blue Zones Project. Those dollars translated into 3,000 backpacks filled with an assortment of pencil pouches, folders, glue, erasers, and other school materials – 10,000 items in all. Blue Zones Project purchased the supplies and is coordinating their distribution to underserved campuses via drive-thru events at targeted schools, LVTRise, Fortress, and in support of Tarrant County Commissioner Roy C. Brooks’ school supply drive.
Teachers are being directly supported, as well. Through the partnership efforts, 2,000 items are being donated to teachers for use in the classroom, including innovative school supply “cakes.” The cakes feature tissues, markers, sanitizer, and other classroom items creatively bundled in towering layers. Supplies and family fun activities to keep kids active are also being provided to area community centers as part of Blue Zones Project’s partnership efforts. A collaboration with Kroger is helping get 500 additional school supply packs in the hands of students at five area elementary schools.
But the need is still great. If you would like to participate and provide school supplies or donations to support these efforts, please contact Stephanie Jackson, Director of Strategic Partnerships, at stephaniejackson@texashealth.org. Together we can ensure area students have what they need to learn, whether its onsite or online.