Popcorn fundraisers VS. Teachers Buying School Supplies

Editorial — Every school year teachers are laying out hundreds of dollars for school supplies for their students… Out of there own pockets.

Why? The answer may surprise you if you are not a teacher.

Why are teachers buying school supplies?

There are two main reasons. The first reason is that school budgets have been cut for many beloved programs.

  • Arts
  • After school programs
  • Sports
  • Music
  • Library

The second reason? Some families don’t have the money to pay for their own child’s school supplies. That is why public school educators continue to dip into their own pockets – to the tune of at least $459 every year. By the way this is out of the goodness of their hearts because they will never be reimbursed.

So where does the money come from?

Parents complain about schools raising money. After all, who wants to shell out $20 for over priced popcorn. Yet at the same time, kids groups like the Boy Scouts have been selling expensive popcorn for years. On the other hand, companies like Fundraising Zone (website), a popcorn fundraising enterprise for schools, tells us it doesn’t have to be as expensive as that. Schools keep up to 50% of every sale based on the number of products sold. And at only $8 most families don’t mind chipping in to help.

It doesn’t have to be a popcorn sale. That is just an example. Across the nation PTA organizations are hosting candy sales, car washes, can drives and bake sales to raise funds that are much needed. The point is that unless teachers, parents and coaches do something — the students suffer because the programs will be shut down.

That is why USA Today reported Ninety-four percent of American public school teachers reported paying for school supplies out of their own pocket in the 2014-15 school year.

So the next time someone asks you to buy an $8 bag of popcorn… Reconsider. Think about the teacher that just put $500 on her credit card so your kids can make you a mothers day card.