Tyson Foods partners with DonorsChoose to support teachers with $1.8 million investment

Tyson Foods partners with DonorsChoose to support teachers with $1.8 million investment.

As part of Tyson Foods’ commitment to support its plant communities, the company announced today it will fund $1.8 million in DonorsChoose projects for 65 school districts* in 60 Tyson communities in 28 states. The investment will bring much-needed resources to schools in Tyson communities and introduce teachers to the platform. Public school teachers in these communities will be able to use DonorsChoose to request learning resources, including materials that support distance learning, as educators prepare for blended or hybrid-model lessons for the upcoming school year. 

Between August 3 and January 29, 2021, Tyson will fully fund projects posted by teachers, in qualifying Tyson school districts, who request up to $1,000 in learning resources. Funding will be applied toward projects on the first Monday of each month, up to $30,000 for each plant community. Grants will be awarded on a first come, first served-basis and can be requested for a variety of resources teachers feel they or their students may need this upcoming school year. 

Educators interested in receiving funding should create their project on DonorsChoose, and they’ll be notified via email if their project has received funding.

“We have a responsibility to support our communities in a variety of ways, including equipping our teachers with the resources they need as an effective way to support education,” said Debra Vernon, senior director, corporate social responsibility, Tyson Foods. “The DonorsChoose model is especially effective in today’s climate as teachers navigate the individual and unique needs of their classrooms so students can experience new or better ways to learn.”

To qualify for full funding, projects will need to be $1,000 or less, for Pre-K-12 and in select Tyson districts*.

 

“We’re so grateful for the support of Tyson Foods as teachers and students embark on a school year like none other,” DonorsChoose founder Charles Best said. “This funding will provide teachers in Tyson communities with resources they need to keep students learning, no matter where they are.”     

The company’s first collaboration with DonorsChoose came in 2018, when $150,000 was awarded to teachers in Gibson County, Tennessee, where the company broke ground on a new chicken processing facility. In 2019, the company invested $1 million in DonorsChoose grants for teachers in 37 Tyson communities. 

“Through our art program we continue to nurture students' imagination and creative spirit, but it truly takes a village,” said Mrs. Armedarix, an elementary teacher in Fayetteville, Arkansas. “Providing our students with this kind of opportunity makes such an impact on their lives. We truly could not do it without Tyson’s help!”

*School districts in the following Tyson Foods communities are eligible to request funding for projects through DonorsChoose, beginning August 1: 

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