How You Can Help Alabama Students Have a Successful School Year
Many children across Alabama start their school year without the necessary school supplies. According to 2MODA, “When kids have what they need for school, it makes the experience more positive. Instead of just being a chore or something they are forced into, school is now a goal or something to look forward to.”
Also, with the lack of school supplies, this places a burden on educators with out-of-pocket spending. “Well over 90 percent of teachers spend their own money on school supplies and other items their students need to succeed,” said the National Education Association.
The Diamonds in the Rough Foundation (DITR) which is a local 501c3 nonprofit organization has recognized the need of empowering Alabama students through school supplies.
Brittany Watson, DITR Executive Director said they “aim to eliminate the barriers created by lack of necessities in the educational setting by hosting a school supply drive for youth of all grades.”
To combat these issues DITR is hosting a school supply drive until August 1. They are collecting school supplies, used and new backpacks, and taking monetary donations to purchase school supplies as well.
Their goal is to supply 500 children K-12 with exactly what is on their school supply list for the 2023-2024 school year.
Donation Drop Off Locations
The Tuscaloosa Public Library
The University of Alabama’s Little Hall
Talecris Plasma Center
Monetary donations can be made at DITRFoundation.org
DITR’s mission is to fill the gaps between our neighbors in need and the resources needed to lead enriched lives.
Donations Needed - Supply List
| #2 Pencils with Erasers (wood cased & mechanical) |
| 1 Inch Heavy Duty 3-Ring Binder with Clear Pocket on |
| 1.5in Heavy Duty 3-Ring Binder with Clear Pocket on Front and Back |
| 2 - Pocket folders |
| 3 ring binder- 2" binder |
| Assorted Highlighters |
| Baby Wipes |
| Black Dry Erase Markers |
| Blue Vinyl Pocket Folder w/ Brads |
| Box of Bandaids |
| Box of Kleenex (Standard Size) |
| Clear or Mesh Backpack |
| College ruled paper |
| Composition book college ruled |
| Composition Notebook with Primary Lines |
| Composition Notebooks - Wide Ruled (black, blue) |
| Cravola Colored Pencils |
| Crayola 24 Count Crayons (no larger boxes) |
| Crayola 8 Count Classic Markers |
| Elmer's Glue Sticks |
| Fiskars Pointed Scissors |
| Front and Back (White) |
| Gallon Ziploc Bags |
| Green Vinyl Pocket Folder w/Brads |
| Hand Sanitizer (Alcohol Based) |
| Headphones |
| Lysol or Clorox Wipes |
| Paper Mate Pens - Blue or Black |
| Paper Towels |
| Pencil Pouch |
| Plastic Dividers (Set of Five) |
| Post-It Notes |
| Quart Ziploc Bags |
| Ream of Colored Copy Paper |
| Reams of 8 1⁄2 × 11" Copy Paper |
| Red Vinyl Pocket Folder w/ Brads |
| Ruler |
| Scientific Calculator |
| Small Pencil Box |
| Vinyl Pocket Folder w/ Brads (red, purple) |
| Wide-Ruled Notebook Paper |
| Yellow Vinyl Pocket Folder w/Brads |
(Source) Click here for more information about the Diamonds in the Rough Foundation. Click here for more details from 2MODA. Click here for more insight from National Education Association.
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