Help a Child in Need: Donate School Supplies

When people of means talk about education, the conversation often turns to debate over policy, reform and presidential politics.

But as the start of the school year approaches, there's a more immediate way to be part of the education solution—namely, by being a donor to several charities looking to level the playing field for needy students one notebook, paintbrush and pencil at a time.

Here's a list of organizations, courtesy of nyc.gov:

DonorsChoose.org is a way for "Citizen Philanthropists" to provide students with resources that our public schools often lack. At this nonprofit website, teachers submit project proposals for material or experiences to help enrich student classroom experience. Donors then choose which projects to fund.

Adopt-A-Classroom invites the community into the classroom in support of teachers and their students. By adopting a classroom, donors form partnerships with specific classrooms providing financial and moral support. The result is a meaningful contribution to education in which donors experience the impact of their efforts and celebrate in a classroom's success.

Materials for the Arts, NYC helps artists realize their visions, provides students with a richer educational experience, and furnishes businesses with a simple and efficient way to enhance the cultural life of their city while promoting environmental awareness and reuse.

Project Cicero's primary goal is to supplement or create classroom libraries for children in under-resourced New York City public schools through an annual citywide book drive. In addition, Project Cicero seeks to get books into homeless shelters, juvenile detention facilities, community centers, and pediatric hospital units – wherever there’s a need.

The PENCIL Box allows donors to enhance the learning environment of students in New York City public schools. Any company or individual with gently used furniture, equipment or other quality goods to donate can list these items on the PENCIL Box website where a deserving school can access these donations directly. Books, musical instruments, computers, furniture, science equipment, and art supplies are among the resources frequently in demand.