As teachers and students embark on another semester of online learning, the Teacher’s Fund hopes to raise $50,000 to support area educators with instruction tools and materials during this unprecedented time.

This year’s annual Back-to-School Supplies Drive will run for one month, Sept. 16-Oct. 16. As with many events these days, the entire fundraiser will be held online.

Community members and businesses are invited to donate at TFSuppliesDrive.com. All proceeds will be used to help Santa Barbara kindergarten through 12th grade teachers buy educational supplies.

“The transition to online learning has been challenging for both teachers and students, and our commitment to supporting our local teachers has only intensified during the pandemic,” said Renee Grubb, owner of Village Properties Realtors and founder of the Teacher’s Fund.

“After the initial emergency response for food and safety, schools and teachers play a vital role in recovering our economy and providing a safe, healthy and productive learning environment,” shes aid.

For every $50 donated toward supplies, donors will receive an entry into a drawing for one of numerous prizes. Businesses or organizations interested in sponsoring the event can do so starting at $250.

The Teacher’s Fund was created in 2002 by the owners of Village Properties as a way for teachers to request supplies needed for their classrooms. Since then, the Teacher’s Fund has donated more than $1.7 million to local schools. All of the funds raised go directly to local teachers for their classrooms. 

Already this year, the Teacher’s Fund has provided emergency COVID-19 grants to teachers forced to adapt quickly to meet the challenge of providing digital school. The Back-to-School Supplies Drive will allow the organization to expand its support so more teachers can optimize online learning for their students.

For more information about the Teacher’s Fund, visit https://teachersfund.org/. For information about Village Properties, visit https://www.villagesite.com/.