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. You can text ABC13Teachers to 71777. Or you can make a donation online.

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Now in its third 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 below.

During ABC13's Share Your School Supplies Drive 2025, people from across the Houston area, and really, southeast Texas, pulled together to raise money and collect supplies for teachers, and ultimately, students. Here's what happened.

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.

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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.

535 Portwall St., Houston, TX 77029

Drop-off hours: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.

2323 Allen Parkway, Houston, TX 77019 

Drop-off hours: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

3904 Avenue T, Galveston, TX 77550 

Drop-off hours: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

1903 1st St., Rosenberg, TX 77471 

Drop-off hours: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Ismaili Jamatkhana - Sugar Land

1700 First Colony Boulevard, Sugar Land, TX 77479 

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.

This year, school supplies from the Teachers Aid program (now part of Backpack Buddy) are being delivered directly to campuses enrolled in Houston Food Bank's Backpack Buddy program all year long.

For Teachers: If you are at a participating Backpack Buddy school, your campus leadership will coordinate supply distribution directly on site; no applications or travel required.

For Families: While the Houston Food Bank does not distribute school supplies directly to individuals or families, their goal is to lift the financial burden on households in other ways. If your family needs assistance with food or seasonal resources, please visit houstonfoodbank.org/findhelp or call the helpline at 832-369-9390 to connect with a nearby partner pantry.

How do school supplies get from the food bank to teachers who need them most? Hit play to learn more.

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.

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.

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.

Harris County Department of Education

Houston Gateway Academy Charter School

International Leadership of Texas

San Francisco Nativity Academy