FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward Education Foundation, the only 501(c)3 charitable organization solely dedicated to serving students and teachers in Broward County Public Schools, recently distributed more than 41,000 safely sealed 18-piece basic school supply kits to 41,000 students from 69 Title I elementary schools in Broward County.
Statistically, more than 90% of students in Broward’s top 40 Title I elementary schools are enrolled in free and reduced lunch programs; Pre-K -12 overall that number is 65%.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in an abundance of caution, Broward Education Foundation pivoted from a physical school supply drive to a virtual one. Thanks to the generosity of the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, Jim Moran Foundation, Wells Fargo, Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, Ultimate Software, Hamilton Group Funding, Inc., People’s Trust Insurance, Harmony Development Center, Inc., State Farm Insurance, Pride Center at Equality Park, Centennial Bank, Broward County Public Schools, BrightStar Credit Union, Pirtle Construction and many more generous corporations and individuals, the campaign was a tremendous success.
“Ordinarily, Broward Education Foundation’s School Supply Drive would help to stock the shelves at our school supply center where teachers from Title I schools shop free for their students in need,” said Shea Ciriago, executive director of Broward Education Foundation. “We knew we had to be proactive in light of COVID, so we orchestrated the online fundraising campaign, sourced the supplies, enlisted the aid of our great community partners, and delivered supply kits to the top 69 Broward Title I elementary schools for distribution to parents- all before the first day of school.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic drastically increased the demand for basic school supplies for students in Broward County Schools this year and Broward Education Foundation was responsive to the shifting needs for both students and educators,” said Tim Curtin, board chair of Broward Education Foundation. “We are incredibly proud of this huge undertaking which helped more than 41,000 students in our community and wish everyone a great and productive new school year.”
About Broward Education Foundation
Broward Education Foundation is the only 501(c)3 charitable organization solely dedicated to supporting Broward County Public Schools and serves as a catalyst for educational excellence by providing teacher grants to fund development of innovative curriculum that advances Pre K-12 achievement; vitally needed school supplies for Title I school students, and scholarships for qualified high school seniors. Established in 1983, the non-profit Broward Education Foundation contributes more than $3 million to Broward County Public Schools annually. In 2018, responding to the Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy, Broward Education Foundation initiated a GoFundMe campaign, established the official Stoneman Douglas Victims’ Fund and raised $10.5M for victims’ families, survivors and those impacted. Broward Education Foundation is proven agile, adept and responsive to shifting needs in education and our community. For more information, visit browardedfoundation.org, email BEFInfo@browardschools.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
