Donate

To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project

This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Sanks from Chicago, IL is requesting supplies through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Sanks is requesting

It's the Little Things in Life...Continued

My students need mesh storage bags to carry their toiletries, wash cloths to assist them in maintaining good hygiene by washing their bodies, floss to help protect their teeth, and hand sanitizer to ward off germs.

FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Sanks's classroom raised $2,119

This project is fully funded

My Students

I teach in an impoverished area in the inner city of Chicago, Illinois. Our city is plagued with violence, poverty, and broken families. Many of our parents are not working and receive assistance from the government. It is a hardship for parents to equip their children with essential school supplies, adequate personal care items, and outwear to protect students from the brutal cold.

Our school is not only located in an economically challenged area, but also a gang and drug infested area.

Over 85% of our student population walk to school or depend on public transportation. There have been many incidences when our school has been on "lock down" due to gang wars involving shootings and fights on the school's campus. But despite this all, our students have a high attendance rate and have been achieving their local and state goals, particularly in the area of math. Although this task has not been easy, I have learned several strategies that help to assist our students to achieve their academic goals.

My Project

I have never seen such excitement from teenagers when told of the fulfillment of the first grant! Many students were amazed that they would be receiving their own personal toiletries. The community resource coordinate was elated to receive the additional supplies, and had already started washing the children's coats. She even shared with me how many families have laundry bags, and at the end of the week she starts to wash the clothes in our school's washer and dryer.

Many students and their families depend on our school to meet their essential and immediate needs.

In my first grant, I left out some items that will assist us in meeting the needs of our school and community. First, I needed to order bags so that my students can store and carry their "survival kits" wherever they go. Secondly, our community and family resource coordinator mentioned how siblings often share wash cloths, and this is a great need. Often times, we have outbreaks in the family such as ringworms, scabies, and other illnesses. If students have their own wash cloths, this can assist in minimizing the outbreaks. Often times, students come to school and have to wash their bodies in the bathroom because their isn't any hot water at home. Lastly, many of our students depend on the dental services we provide at our school. Among the order of toothpaste and toothbrushes, I forgot to order floss. Although these items may not seem as an urgent need, they are essential. My job is to not only teach my students, but to also meet ALL their immediate needs. It is extremely difficult to concentrate on their learning when they are cognizant of how they look or smell to their peers. My students value their peers' opinions and just want to be accepted.

Project tagged as

Chicago, IL
Grades 6-8
Warmth, Care & Hunger
Traditional School
Supplies
Nearly all students from low‑income households

Mrs. Sanks Nicholson Technical Academy Grades 6-8

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Chicago, IL View local requests

Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

240 students impacted 24donors

Boost your odds

Add a profile photo in addition to your classroom photo. If you add a photo, it'll show up right here on your project page.

You are more likely to receive funding if you put a face to your name.

Upload a photo

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mrs. Sanks is requesting.

See our finances

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

You can start a project with the same resources being requested here!

Copy this cart

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

Purell 9674-06-ECDECO Advanced Design Series Hand Sanitizer, 8 oz Bottles (Pack of 4) • Amazon Business $13.79 50 $689.50

Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Deep Clean Floss, Mint, 6 Count • Amazon Business $17.37 30 $521.10

Vaultz Mesh Storage Bags, Assorted Colors and Sizes, 4 Bags (VZ01211) • Amazon Business $6.68 50 $334.00

Washclothes in Bulk, Washclothes 100% Cotton High Absorbent, Multipurpose, 12-Pack • Amazon Business $9.99 20 $199.80

Materials cost			$1,744.40
Vendor shipping charges			FREE
Sales tax			$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee			$26.17
Fulfillment labor & materials			$30.00
Total project cost			$1,800.57
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$317.75
Total project goal			$2,118.32
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$2,118.32
16 Donors			-$1,050.34
Donations toward project cost			-$907.79
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$142.55
match offer			-$1,050.33
Match offer toward project cost			-$892.78
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$157.55
Excluded support for DonorsChoose			-$17.65
Still needed View calculation Hide calculation			$0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

View complete list Show less

Give the most requested basic supplies

See teacher requests

Give back to your community

Find opportunities to impact local needs by exploring a map of classroom projects near you.

See local area

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Sanks and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works

{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"IL","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":3,"name":"Middle School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":0,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":true,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/its-the-little-things-in-lifecontinu/2430785/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":240,"isEquityFocusV1":true,"teacherScreenName":"Mrs. Sanks","isEquityFocus":true,"proposalHash":"-2083094663","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":100.00,"monthlySchoolDonationEnabled":false,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"shouldTrackEquityFocusV2":true,"schoolCity":"Chicago","teachersOnPage":[2423978],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":true,"proposalId":2430785,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"schoolId":5824,"schoolName":"Nicholson Technical Academy","authorIds":{"2423978":{"owner":"Mrs. Sanks","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":1.0,"proposalsOnPage":[2430785],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://cdn.donorschoose.net/images/placeholder-avatars/272/teacher-placeholder-10_272.png?auto=webp","teacherHasProfilePhoto":false,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":19,"teacherChallengeId":20440252,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":2423978,"schoolCounty":"Cook","fullyFunded":true,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"IL","name":"Illinois"}}

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

This teacher needs your help!

It's the Little Things in Life...Continued

This project is fully funded

My Students

My Project

Project tagged as

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

Equity Focus

Boost your odds

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

How we calculate what's needed

Give the most requested basic supplies

Give back to your community

Project Activity

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.