An estimated 90% of teachers spend their own money on school supplies each year at an average of $500 spent. Valley of the Sun United Way and Walmart know how important it is for all kids in our community to have access to school supplies for a quality learning experience.

At Alhambra School District, 25 teachers were invited to the August 23^rd board meeting for what they thought was a district update. What they didn’t know is that a grateful group of United Way and Walmart employees would be there to surprise them mid-meeting. Crashing the meeting with classroom supplies and gift cards showed these teachers they had support from their community by contributing to the impactful work they do, while making this school year a little less stressful on the wallet.

“The Alhambra Elementary School District is extremely grateful to Walmart and Valley of the Sun United Way for surprising our teachers with these gift cards for their classrooms! They have truly impacted the lives of these lucky teachers and for that, we are very grateful.”
- Mark Yslas, Superintendent of the Alhambra Elementary School District

Thanks to a grant of more than $13,000 from Walmart, teachers were gifted with School Readiness Kits and $530 Visa gift cards, and allow teachers the freedom to purchase whatever their classroom needs.

“Walmart is proud to have donated over $13,500 to make this amazing event happen for 26 teachers in the Alhambra Elementary School District. We know that teachers are the unsung heroes who dedicate their time and financial resources to provide for their students. We hope that the $530 Visa gift cards that they each received can go towards alleviating some of those costs.”
- Javier Angulo, Walmart Senior Director for Community Relations

Because of partnerships like this, we are able to truly support game-changers in our community like teachers at Alhambra Elementary School District. Because of teachers, kids are able to succeed in school and break the cycle of poverty. You can join the fight to break the cycle today by creating teacher supply kits for other local teachers!

Simply check out this flyer for a list of items regularly needed by teachers and start a supply drive with your friends or coworkers, or build a kit at home. Schedule the drop off of your kits with us and we will get them to the schools for you! These kits help teachers get the school year started off right. Let’s give teachers a hand.

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