Back to School Drive Kicks Off!

 

 

The Family Giving Tree is excited to announce the start of our 18th Annual Back to School Drive! More than 140 supporters were in attendance at our kick-off luncheon last Wednesday, generously hosted by the Santa Clara Convention Center. Guests joined the Elves to pick up their drive materials, gain insight to the impact this drive has on local, low-income children, and collect tips on how to make this the most successful season to date! Check out our photo album from the festivities on our Facebook page.

 

 

It's not too late to get involved!  

 

More than 388,000 children in the Bay Area qualify for the Federal Free or Reduced Price Meal Program, our primary criteria for receiving a backpack, and will need help getting school supplies this summer. Last year, through our Back to School Drive, we were able to provide more than 21,000 students with backpacks filled with the tools they need. With your support, we can prepare even more children to succeed this school year.   

 

YOU CAN HELP: 

• Register to lead a Back to School Drive! No matter the size of your company, club or meet-up group, you can make a significant impact. If you've already registered, thank you! Sign up to  lead a drive here. 

• Donate online!
  Let us do the shopping for you. Our Virtual Giving Trees make it easy to provide a child with a backpack full of supplies. Just visit our website to make the donation, and we'll take it from there! 

• Buy a backpack! Is your employer or social group leading a Back to School Drive? Take a wish card and shop for a child today. Having trouble finding a card? Visit one of our many  public hosts!

The Family Giving Tree's Back to School Drive focuses on supporting STEM Education. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are critical areas of study for children in order to be prepared for jobs in the "knowledge economy".

STEM in the Schoolyard at Downtown College Prep with Texas Instruments and FGT!

 

Today, 50% of U.S. students score below the basic science level, while 80% of jobs created in the next decade will require math and science skills. Including supplies such as scientific calculators, protractors, rulers and graph paper, with your donation of a backpack will help prepare today's students to meet the needs of tomorrow's workforce.

 

Did you know?

 

Low-income students are twice as likely or more to score below the Basic level of math achievement than their high-income counterparts. (National Science Foundation). Invest in our students, and help break the cycle of poverty today. Your donation will help provide all the supplies a local, low-income child needs to engage in learning throughout the coming school year.

 

Learn more about supporting STEM Education and our commitment to addressing the demands of the Silicon Valley. 

Are you looking to bring a group to volunteer at our Back to School warehouse in August? Sign up to lead a drive NOW and receive priority access to our sign up list for two weeks beginning June 17th.

 

 

 

Registered hosts can sign up a group of 15 volunteers to help us receive, sort, quality check and distribute backpacks during the month of August, but spaces fill up quickly. Register to lead a drive and we send instructions on how to request a spot beginning June 17th, three weeks before the sign up list goes public!

Check out our volunteer page for opportunities in office now, and to learn more about what you should know before volunteering.