$200,000 in supplies distributed to Palm Beach County schools during giveaway event

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — Hundreds of Palm Beach County students will receive free new school supplies next week thanks to the annual Tools for Schools program.

For the 20th year, Red apple suppliesthe Education Foundation of Palm Beach CountyThe Free Resource Store for Teachers, partnered with Publix Super Markets to distribute more than $201,000 worth of essential school supplies to teachers in 120 Title I district schools.

Teachers and principals went to the Red Apple Supply Store in Riviera Beach as early as 8 a.m. to receive supplies from volunteers, forming a line long enough to wrap around the building and continue down the street.

Volunteers loaded the cars with supplies while others served hot chocolate and candy.

Education Foundation President Jim Moore also served as disc jockey for the event as a barbershop quartet serenaded drivers as they waited for supplies. Santa even paid a visit to the event.

Palm Beach County Superintendent Michael Burke said the event is especially needed with one in five students in the district at the poverty level.

“This goes a long way to making sure kids have the supplies they need to stay in the classroom,” Burke said.

Dwayne Dennard, the principal of Pahokee middle and high schools, echoed Burke’s words, stressing the need for supplies.

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Dennard said 99 percent of students at his two schools are in a free or reduced meal program, indicating significant financial need.

“Without these supplies, many of our children cannot reach their full potential,” Dennard said. “There are kids that we’ve lost because we didn’t have these kinds of supplies. It’s a great opportunity for parents and students with today’s inflation.”

Supplies distributed included everything from laptops to headphones and more.

Burke said the supplies will be distributed to students at the school next week.