Give 4 Grades: How Tutor Teach is Helping Students Start the School Year with Confidence

Last summer—July 2024—marked the launch of Tutor Teach’s very first Give 4 Grades School Supply Drive, and the response from the community was nothing short of inspiring. In partnership with the Bissell Centre, we came together to collect hundreds of essential school supplies for children from families experiencing financial hardship. Our goal was simple: make a direct and meaningful impact on students who lack the basic materials they need to thrive in school.

Every child deserves the chance to learn without barriers—and that starts with access to the right resources. Backpacks, notebooks, pencils, markers—these aren’t luxuries. They are necessities. But for many families living in poverty, the back-to-school season can be both emotionally and financially overwhelming. No parent should ever have to choose between buying groceries and buying school supplies. And no child should walk into a classroom feeling “less than” simply because their backpack is empty.

According to CBC, many teachers in Alberta are struggling to meet their students’ needs due to a lack of resources. As the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region found, in some Edmonton neighbourhoods, eight in ten students from kindergarten through Grade 12 face barriers to accessing school supplies.

We want to change that—one backpack at a time.

Too often, children are expected to keep up with their peers while starting from behind. No child should have to watch classmates open crisp new notebooks while they have nothing to write on. No child should be left colouring with a dull grey pencil while vibrant artwork unfolds around them. These quiet inequalities add up, slowly eroding confidence, focus, and long-term academic success.

A report from Public Interest Alberta and the Edmonton Social Planning Council revealed that one in six children—over 160,000 in Alberta—are living in poverty. That number isn’t just a statistic. It represents real kids with real potential—and a future that depends on how we support them today.

At Tutor Teach, we believe every child deserves to feel prepared, empowered, and ready to learn. That’s why last year’s success meant so much to us. With help from our community, we received a generous number of donations and partnered with the Bissell Centre—an organization committed to building a poverty-free community. Their mission aligns seamlessly with ours. We know that supporting a child’s education means more than what happens in the classroom. It means showing up for families, offering resources, and extending a steady hand when times are tough.

Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, every item was sorted with care. Backpacks were packed to the brim—bursting with supplies and brimming with possibility. In total, we collected over 400 items and filled more than 20 backpacks. Each one was handled with love and purpose—a bundle of opportunity, ready to equip a child who needs it most.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce the Second Annual Give 4 Grades School Supply Drive, happening this week, on July 17, 2025. Our goal this year is to collect even more supplies and reach even more children.

We want students to walk into their classrooms not with anxiety, but with assurance. Not with empty hands, but with open hearts—ready to learn, grow, and thrive.

To stay updated on this year’s drive and other community initiatives, follow us on Instagram