ABC13 Loves Teachers School Supply Drive wants to help educators stock classrooms as out-of-pocket costs near $1,000 per teacher

You can donate any amount now by texting ABC13Teachers to 71777.

Tuesday, July 7, 2026 9:58PM

ABC13's Share Your School Supplies Drive 2025

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Teachers in Texas reported spending on average $935 out of pocket on school supplies for the 2024-2025 school year, according to AdoptAClassroom.

A survey from crowdfunding nonprofit DonorsChoose found that without community support, teachers' spending on their classrooms would soar even higher.

That's why the ABC13 Loves Teachers School Supply Drive happening Friday, July 31, 2026, and its sponsors, H-E-B, Gallery Furniture, Air Specialist, Terry Bryant Accident and Injury Law, and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, want to help.

Plus, there are two easy ways for the community to join our efforts right now:

Text ABC13Teachers to 71777
Make a donation online by clicking this link

Now in its fourth year, the event benefits the Houston Food Bank's School Programs, with all money raised and supplies collected staying local and going toward area teachers.

In 2025, communities united to raise over $46,000 in cash and supplies for teachers.

Revisit the sights and sounds from the 2025 school supply drive celebrating teachers in the video player above.

This year, we're looking to collect more than we ever have before in honor of our educators throughout southeast Texas.

As you watch ABC13 in the week leading up to the drive, look out for more opportunities to give by scanning the QR code featured during stories within our newscasts highlighting teachers from the Houston area.

Then join us on July 31 for our all-day community drive, where you can stop by any of the sites below to drop off new school supply donations.

Houston

Houston Food Bank
535 Portwall St., Houston, TX 77029
Drop-off hours: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Houston/Montrose area

The Ismaili Center
2323 Allen Parkway, Houston, TX 77019
Drop-off hours: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Galveston

Galveston ISD Support Center
3904 Avenue T, Galveston, TX 77550
Drop-off hours: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Richmond/Rosenberg

VFW Hall - Post 3903
1903 1st St., Rosenberg, TX 77471
Drop-off hours: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Sugar Land

Ismaili Jamatkhana - Sugar Land
1700 First Colony Boulevard, Sugar Land, TX 77479
Hours: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Can't make it out that day? You can keep up with the drive during our live special airing at 9 a.m. on ABC13. You'll also find us live on Disney+! Always on, always under the live tab on Disney+ and everywhere you stream.

How great is the need?

According to the National Education Association, roughly 90% of teachers who use their own money to cover classroom costs have struggled with a 20% increase in prices since 2020.

AdoptAClassroom's 2025 Teacher Spending Survey found that teachers spent on average $895 out of pocket on school supplies during the 2024-2025 school year.

In the nonprofit's 2026 Teacher Impact Survey, more than 93% of teachers stated they have students whose families can't afford all the necessary school supplies.

It's no surprise then that 81% of teachers said the top reason for purchasing supplies is because they want every student to have the same opportunities in the classroom.

How are costs going up?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shared in Aug. 2025, based on the latest data available, that prices for educational books and supplies, such as elementary, high school, and college textbooks and reference books, were 9.4% higher than a year earlier.

With rising costs, it's also easy to see how teachers might exceed their own means to meet critical needs as the AdoptAClassroom survey noted that the median school supply budget is $200. Ninety-seven percent of educators reported that amount simply doesn't stretch enough to meet their students' needs.

What are the funds going toward?

Mostly essential supplies, AdoptAClassroom says. For 82% of teachers, that included paper, pencils, and markers. Sixty-six percent said they buy food for their students, while 64% invested in books and inclusive materials.

See the list below from the Houston Food Bank of the most-needed school supplies and the benefiting school districts.