School supply collection effort falls short in Philly

More than a month ago, the city of Philadelphia began a quest to collect a half a million dollars to buy classroom supplies for city schools. The effort came up a little short.

Mayor Michael Nutter started the Philadelphia Education Supplies Fund on September 11 with a goal of a half million dollars by October 15 and $2.5 million over the next five years.  

The collections didn’t quite get there.

“$431,000 and a number of funders who are making callbacks to indicate what their support is. That is of course $431,000 that we had a day before the collection and a whole lot of kids and teachers who will be the beneficiaries,” the mayor said, adding that collections will continue through the United Way for anyone who still wants to donate.”

In the days following the deadline additional resources did come in pushing contributions over the initial goal.

“Overall, a successful effort,” said Nutter. “The site is not going to close. This is an ongoing effort and I’m appreciative of all the folks who made small medium and large contributions to this effort.”

Procedures will be devised for schools and teachers to draw down on the funding. At the start of the school year, the district’s bare-bones budget had left very little money for pens, paper and other basic supplies needed in classrooms.