Causes: Education

Mission: Our mission is to equip students living in poverty to effectively learn by collecting and distributing free school supplies.

Results: We have grown from serving 36 area schools in 2002, to nearly 200 today. During this time, Classroom Central has distributed over $52 million in free school supplies to area students in Mecklenburg, Gaston, Iredell, Union, Lancaster (SC) Counties and the City of Kannapolis. We accomplish this with no funding from government, school districts or United Way. Classroom Central is 100% supported by businesses, foundations and individuals who believe, as we do, that a good education is one of the most reliable ways to help them reach their full potential.

Target demographics: students living in poverty to effectively learn by collecting and distributing free school supplies.

Direct beneficiaries per year: teachers and students in nearly 200 schools, by providing more than $5.6 million in free supplies and resources.

Geographic areas served: six school districts including Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Gaston County, Iredell/Statesville, Union County, City of Kannapolis and Lancaster (SC)

Programs: Classroom Central provides children with the essential tools they need to succeed in school, helping them realize their full potential through a good education. Our mission is to equip students living in poverty to effectively learn by collecting and distributing free school supplies, and we fulfill our mission through four core programs that enable teachers within high-poverty schools to "shop" for the materials they and their students need to learn and achieve: Free Store, Classroom Up, the Mobile Free Store, and Backpacks & Basics.