The Empty Stocking Fund, Inc

Every child deserves happiness and the opportunity to succeed. That’s why The Empty Stocking Fund empowers metro Atlanta parents and guardians of children living in poverty by providing them with an opportunity to give their children gifts during the holidays and school supplies to carry them through the year. Through relationships with wholesale distributors, The Empty Stocking Fund purchases brand new items in sufficient quantities to offer a variety of age- and gender-appropriate choices. In December, The Empty Stocking Fund invites parents and guardians of children up to 18 years old to visit Santa’s Village and select the gifts their children want. The Empty Stocking Fund also helps make classrooms learning ready by providing school supplies like pens, paper, and notebooks to both students and teachers from Atlanta's Title I schools—schools where 80% or more of the student population receives free or reduced lunch. Students receive supplies directly through the Student Supply Kit program. Each year since 2019, The Empty Stocking Fund has provided core supplies to students, helping to create more equitable learning environments and increasing the variety of projects and learning models offered to children. The Free Teacher Store allows educators to hand select the supplies and resources that their children need at no cost to them. In addition to basic materials like pens and pencils, teachers can also select from an assortment of learning aids like algebraic models and even health hygiene items like feminine products for our older scholars. These education programs help build confidence and curiosity into learning with every pencil, flash card and notebook. And in the process, The Empty Stocking Fund relieves the financial burden on teachers and parents so everyone can focus on what really matters—learning.