We are looking for companies, churches and organizations that can host a school supply drive for LP PENCIL Box. It’s an easy way to help thousands of Nashville students do better in school!

We will provide marketing materials and a video to help explain the purpose and impact of the Box. Why is it important? As reported in the Washington Post last month, a national survey by Public Opinion Strategies showed that nine out of 10 teachers spent their personal money on school supplies for their students. But in Nashville, teachers can get free supplies to help the 72% of students who are economically disadvantaged.

“LP PENCIL Box was the first resource I found out about as a new MNPS teacher,” said Carla Keeter, an eighth-grade math teacher at Wright Middle Prep. “I felt like I had died and gone to school-supply heaven. My students and I are so very thankful for the donations to the Box.”

Every donation helps, such as the supplies in the photo above that were recently delivered to the Box by CJ Advertising. If you would like to host a drive, please click here to get started. Or if you would like to make a monetary donation, it's quick and easy by clicking here. Either way, you'll be helping students who attend Metro Nashville Public Schools! 

The PENCIL AmeriCorps Members are ending their year of service after serving as the specialists for PACE, our afterschool program for middle school students. We are extremely grateful for all their hard work and the quality time they spent with the kids!

Ann-Marie Chavat, one of our AmeriCorps Members, described her year of working with middle school students. “I had the opportunity to be involved in direct service at the ground level. I got to experience public schools, a vibrant and engaged nonprofit with a formidable mission, a cohort of wonderful AmeriCorps Members, and a batch of awesome middle school students trying to make sense of the world. PENCIL valued these children over all things. It has been an amazing experience.”

Another AmeriCorps members, Joseph Gutierrez, remembered one of his students talking to a classmate. “What do you do at PACE?” the classmate asked. “We learn stuff and have fun,” replied the PACE student. That a top-notch recommendation from a middle school student! And Sarah Finney chose to serve through PACE because she’s a firm believer in pushing students to explore their post-secondary options as early as possible. “They need to think about colleges and careers outside of their typical daily experience to push their creative thought processes,” she said. “This exploration of self and the world helps students understand their strengths and how to use them in their future career.”

We are extremely thankful for our AmeriCorps staff for choosing PACE for their year of service. They did an outstanding job and we wish them luck in all their future endeavors! And, if you or someone you know would like more information on becoming a member of the PENCIL AmeriCorps team, please contact Matt Seaton at mseaton@pencifd.org.

PENCIL is gearing up for another year of great PENCIL Partnerships and volunteers to help students in Nashville public schools. You can help PENCIL continue this great work with a contribution. Every donation brings community resources, tutors, mentors and programs for deserving students. Thank you!