OKEECHOBEE — Publix’s “Tools for Back to School” campaign, rolled out to our local Publix Super Market on July 22 and will run through Aug. 2, helps raise funds to be donated to the Education Foundation of Okeechobee.

When you give to Tools for Back to School, you’re helping students who may not have basic learning materials like pens, markers, crayons, or notebooks. In some classrooms, teachers have been known to use their own money to provide these resources. With Tools for Back to School, teachers and students can focus on doing what’s most important. Your contributions support the Education Foundation of Okeechobee who will receive all proceeds from your Publix donation in order to purchase school supplies to distribute to local Okeechobee classrooms.

“It is collaborations like the one we have with Publix that enable the Education Foundation of Okeechobee to assist our local students and teachers, not only as they start returning to classrooms next month, but year round is our goal”, stated the Foundation’s newest Executive Director Andrea Medellin. “Many families do not have the resources to purchase all required school supplies, and we know for a fact that teachers often spend their own money to buy supplies for their students. That’s why this program is so important. It supports families and classroom teachers.”

So please be sure while shopping at Publix July 22 - Aug. 2 to select one of the 3 donation options with your cashier at checkout. Give a $5 or more donation to receive one of Publix’s $0.99 reusable bags for free.