Every winter, when teachers across New Jersey greet students in their classrooms, they often notice some students arrive without a coat and gloves. Other students mention how hungry they are because they have no food at home.
Unfortunately, for thousands of New Jersey children from low-income families, winter means more than cold weather and shorter days. The harsh season also ushers in more uncertainty at home and difficulty learning at school. Teachers are often the first to notice the hardship.
DonorsChoose recognized this difficulty and aims to solve the problem through an innovative online platform that connects teachers with people willing to donate to help a classroom in need. Teachers can submit requests for help on behalf of their classroom, and donors can easily search through their areas of interest and fulfill teachers’ requests. It simply takes a click of a button to meet students’ tangible needs, so they can focus on getting a great education.
From November 2023 to January 2024, The Tepper Foundation first supported theWarmth/Care/Hunger project to fulfill New Jersey teachers’ requests through the DonorsChoose platform. The $250,000 grant funded teachers’ requests up to $500 to provide students in New Jersey classrooms with basic necessities like hygiene care, blankets, coats, and food during the winter months.
The following thank-you notes from students speak volumes about the immediate impact of the DonorsChoose and The Tepper Foundation Warmth/Care/Hunger project:
Through the Warmth/Care/Hunger project on the DonorsChoose’s platform, the Foundation was able to do the following over the course of three months:
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677 individual projects were funded.
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617 teachers with projects were funded.
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161 New Jersey schools received help.
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82.3% of the teachers whose projects were funded were from schools with more than half of students from low-income households.
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71.7% of the schools supported were Equity Focus Schools, where the majority of students are from low-income households and the majority of students are Black, Latino, and/or Native American.
This Warmth/Care/Hunger project reached across New Jersey, helping fund projects in 68 cities, including areas with the highest needs, such as:
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184 projects in Camden
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91 projects in Trenton
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82 projects in Paterson
A PreK-2 teacher in Camden, shares how much her students appreciated their new winter gear:
Dear The Tepper Foundation,
Our students have really benefited from the coats, hats, scarves, and gloves. They are able to come to school and go out for recess without having to worry about being cold. They love bundling up in their new winter gear! The students were so excited when they received their items! Their smiles and excitement truly lit up the classroom.
An elementary school teacher in Camden, shares about the special needs students she teaches who “need extra hugs and encouragement to work hard.” The blankets, gloves, and coats warmed their hearts:
Dear Tepper Foundation,
Thank you so much for your donation. My students were so excited to open the boxes and wrap themselves up in the blankets...With the cold months approaching, the students are able to stay warm at night knowing they have a blanket they can wrap themselves in... Thank you for your kind heart and the smiles you were able to give my students.”
Through our winter partnership, The Tepper Foundation and DonorsChoose met students’ immediate needs and promoted while also promoting long-term change for children and their families, helping them feel appreciated by their community and encouraged at school.
Learn more about how you can support DonorsChoose and local teachers here.