Overview
Granite Education Foundation works to provide quick, as needed assistance to students who are referred by school personnel. On average, the Foundation receives approximately 10 student aid requests a day over the school year.
Our goal is not only to reduce barriers to learning, but provide support to ensure that students can experience a more equitable education.
Clothing and Infant Supplies
New clothing is a heavily requested item from school staff across the District. Whether it be for a student whose shoes are coming apart due to wear, a family who recently moved who doesn't have coats for Utah's cold winters, or for school personnel to have on hand when students have accidents at school, Granite Education Foundation works hard to provide this resource to all schools.
UTA Fare Pay Cards
UTA Fare Pay Cards are an important resource requested by social workers and counselors across the District. Monthly bus passes allow students who live far away from District bus lines transportation to and from school. Students who participate in afterschool activities or need transportation to work to support their family utilize this resource as well. Alleviating the burden of transportation on struggling families and students directly impacts their opportunity to learn.
Hygiene and Lice Kits
Personal hygiene education is an important piece of growing up. The Foundation affords schools access to hygiene kits, feminine hygiene items, and lice kits. Hygiene kits may be distributed to an entire classroom for a lesson or several may be given out to a family in need to alleviate their financial burden.
Backpacks and School Supplies
In reducing barriers to learning, Granite Education Foundation believes students should have the basic necessities of learning in the classroom. Equity and equal access to opportunity are a major priority of our programming. Many schools request enough backpacks filled with school supplies for their entire student populace and make them available at back-to-school registration nights, so anyone who needs the resource has access. At the same time, struggling families who recently moved to Utah or from another district may receive these backpacks to level the playing field for those new students.
Deseret Industries Vouchers
These vouchers are provided through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Humanitarian Service donations. This donation allows social workers to submit a request for assistance. These requests can be turned into a voucher for shopping at any Deseret Industries store. For families struggling to furnish a new apartment, students without beds, or students needing additional clothing items to what we can provide, these are an excellent resource.
Vision Assistance
Vision exams and eyeglasses are available through Granite Education Foundation for students and families who are unable to cover the cost. Students without insurance or unable to replace a broken pair can count on school nurses to put in requests, so students are able to see the board and teacher clearly!
Shop-A-Thon
The DISCOVER and Kohl's Shop-A-Thon is a back-to-school shopping spree for over 400 students across the Granite School District! The Foundation is lucky to partner with several partner organizations to put on a major party and provide every student in attendance with a sizeable Kohl's gift card. With DISCOVER's 200 volunteers, we ensure students can shop for their own back-to-school items, have access to haircuts, dental checkups, vision screenings, and even food!
