On May 19a very excited bunch of 250 kids were entertained at Jenny Lind Elementary by Yoobi. Representatives Ido Leffler of Yoobi and Annie Nelson Stanoch of the Kids in Need Foundation (KINF) coordinated an assembly where Leffler, one of the original founders of Yoobi, spoke about the program. Leffler also visited classrooms after the assembly to distribute packages with school supplies including quality stationary, pen, pencils, crayons and other classroom learning tools. Yoobi donated 8,925 items during the give-back event.
The teaching staff and administration at Jenny Lind Elementary were very supportive of the program. A study commissioned by the National School Supply and Equipment Association revealed that U.S. teachers spent $1.6 billion in the 2012-2013 school year out of their own pockets. The study showed that teachers spent, on average $268 of their own money on school supplies, $491 on instructional materials, and additional $186 on other classroom supplies for a total of $945.
Ido Leffler and cofounder Lance Kalish established Yoobi with a “mission to transform education and to empower students and teachers through access to essential school supplies.” Yoobi was conceived by the recognition that 99% of all teachers use their own funds to stock classrooms. Yoobi’s mission is “to stock classrooms, empower teachers, and give every child an equal opportunity to succeed, all while fostering a workplace built on kindness and purpose.” Yoobi’s one-for-one model ensures that for every item purchased, an additional item is donated to schools in underserved communities. Partnering with the Kids in Need Foundation, Yoobi delivers these supplies directly to classrooms, helping to provide students with the tools they need to succeed.
The Kids in Need Foundation (KINF) is a national nonprofit focusing on kids facing the most significant barriers. They concentrate on schools where 70% or more of the students are eligible for free or reduced-cost meals through the National School Lunch Program. Data shows that 45% of Black, 43% of Latino, and 23% of Indigenous youth are enrolled in schools with the highest poverty level. According to the Minneapolis Public School district, 84.1% of students enrolled at Jenny Lind Elementary School qualify for reduced-price lunch benefits. KINF is a national nonprofit that has established a nationwide community distribution network, and provides supplies and learning materials to teachers and students at zero cost.