Selange giannetto ~founder Creative Purpose Tempe
“Every child deserves the tools to succeed, and every teacher the resources to inspire. Together, we can bridge the gap—one pencil, one book, one classroom at a time.”
For too long, teachers have been using their own money. They do this to ensure their students have what they see as “classroom essentials”. Yes, teachers are allotted a certain amount of funds each term. But for most, those funds are depleted a mere few weeks after the start of the school year.
Creative Purpose Tempe asked teachers in different school districts in the Phoenix Valley, “What wish do you have for yourself?” Then they asked, “What about a wish for your students? What items do you feel are essential for their academic success?” We thought we had a laundry list of items. It turned out to be just a few of the basics.
How could it be that items like pencils and paper are at the top of the list? To test this theory, Creative Purpose Tempe did what we refer to as a “beta test”. We supplied just pencils for two months. What we discovered…you would think students were physically eating PENCILS! They went that fast! Students would lose them, break them, or refuse to use them if they weren’t properly sharpened. I kid you not! For 18 students, I supplied 100 pencils. This occurred twice! I was amazed.
When I visited the class in person, we did a quiz on nutrition immediately after a brief lesson. Students received a question to answer. If they answered correctly, they wrote a personal message to their instructor. I handed them a paper cutout and a permanent marker. Once they had finished, they were to hand me the card cutout and the market. Of the 18 kids participating, I had to ask 10 of them for the marker back. I was seeing in real time what the instructor was dealing with month after month.
“The quality of education can be significantly influenced by access to basic school supplies. Back-to-school drives aim to level the playing field. They ensure that every child has the tools they need to succeed. This happens regardless of their socio-economic background. “[Julie Wukelic, “Leveling the Playing Field: The Impact of Back-To-School Drives]
This is one of the founding principles of Creative Purpose Tempe. Organizations do supply hundreds of thousands of kids with back-to-school supplies. However, much like donations at Christmas time, when the season is over, donations are all but gone. Our plan is NOT to give “one and done” donations. Far from it. We want to support our students and teachers year-round. We will supply items for “homework kits” using the same supply list our teachers used in curating them. In essence what their students need in class and at home.
Our first homework kits will be delivered 3 weeks into the 2025-2026 school year. We will continue to sell t-shirts, tote bags, and other items at the local farmers market to raise funds. This initiative will also support our budget for the 2026-2027 school year. We will fill in the gaps where and when needed! Its just that simple. But we cannot do it alone.
For our 2025-2026 fundraising efforts, the kits will change. We are going to continue with our “classroom essentials” homework kits. Our next kits will be for particular subjects most of which may be removed from the curriculum or funds reduced. The following are a few of the subjects we currently have in the works.
- Life Skills
- Science/Technology
- Language
- Art
We invite you to embark on this incredible journey with us. We aim to empower the children in your life. Our mission also extends to those in your community. This initiative began with a simple conversation and keen observation. We at Creative Purpose Tempe are committed to being the change that our world needs. Together, we will make a meaningful impact in our corner of the community.
Creative Purpose Tempe 