About Us
For the Children is a 501 ( c ) (3) non-profit organization. Our 15-person all volunteer Board of Directors administers the organization. The Board includes representatives from each of the school districts, major sponsors and individuals interested in the success of the program. There are no paid staff members.
Vision
For the Children provides school supplies to Texas public-school students based on need.
Mission
For the Children, a non-profit organization, will contribute to the education of public elementary school students in Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties by procuring and distributing basic school supplies. Campus allocation will be based on the number of students qualifying for the federally free or reduced price lunch program. For the Children will offer high quality service, provide schoolsupplies in a timely fashion, and solicit input from key stakeholders to improve services.
Values
- Every student should have basic school supplies at the beginning of each school year regardless of socioeconomic status.
- The school supplies will align with the needs of students and their respective schools.
- We will practice good stewardship of the money and resources donated to For the Children.
- 100% of donated funds will be used to purchase school supplies.
- Board members and friends of the Board will cover administrative costs associated with the purchase and distribution of the school supplies.
- We will promote open communication among ourselves and between the board, sponsors, the public, district administrators, and campus principals.
Our History
For the Children, Inc. is a local non-profit organization in the Central Texas area that provides basic school supplies to children who qualify for the federally funded free and reduced price lunch program. Our goal is to reach all elementary age children first. Currently, we serve Pre-K through 4th grade students in ten school districts in Central Texas.
We are proud that 100% of the funds donated are used to purchase school supplies. This is possible because board members serve a dual purpose of performing in-kind administrative duties and providing the administrative funds required to run the organization and because of in-kind support from area businesses and volunteers.
In the summer of 1988, a small group of people, led by Victor Ovalle of KTBC TV formed a community action program called Teach The Children. Initially modeled after a similar program in San Antonio, the purpose was to provide basic school supplies to needy children with their first efforts focusing on first graders in the Austin Independent School District (AISD).
That fall, approximately 1,000 individual sacks, with each containing crayons, pencils a ruler, scissors, glue, a writing tablet and a pencil box were distributed among 12 schools in AISD. An additional 15 schools received book covers, pens and pencils.
Today, For The Children purchases school supplies in bulk. This approach ensures your donation goes further while still providing quality scool supplies.
Since 1989, For The Children has provided supplies to over 363,000 children. This year, For the Children will provide supplies for over 51,000 children.