Publix Funds Free School Supplies

Publix Super Markets is providing free school supplies for teachers and needy students.

Publix's "Tools for Back to School" campaign, rolling out to more than 1,000 stores on July 24 and running through Aug. 13, will raise funds to donate school supplies across Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, including the Atlanta Community Food Bank's (ACFB) "Kids in Need" (KIN) program, as students and teachers start returning to classrooms. KIN provides brand-new free school supplies to educators at schools where 80 percent of the students make use of federal free or reduced-meal programs.

"It is partnerships like the one we have with Publix that enable the Atlanta Community Food Bank and its programs like Kids in Need to help those who need it most," said ACFB Executive Director Bill Bolling. "We know that there are students and teachers and schools all across metro Atlanta that work hard behind the scenes to help fill need gaps in classrooms every school year. Supporting donation drives and programs like Kids in Need plays an enormous and critical role in making sure needs stay met."

Publix customers and associates can donate $5, $7 or $10, which will go to purchase the supplies.

"Our Tools for Back to School program grew out of the need to help students and teachers," explained Brenda Reid, media and community relation manager at Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix, which operates 1,077 stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. "Many families do not have the resources to purchase school supplies, and often teachers spend their own money to buy supplies for their students. That's why this program is so important. It supports families and classroom teachers."