Austin ISD is joining business leaders and community volunteers to launch Supply the Teachers, a nonprofit organization that brings business partners and community members together to raise funds for classroom supplies.

3M has donated more than $1.4 million in supplies for AISD teachers, which will be distributed as part of the launch. 

Who: Paul Cruz, superintendent of AISD; Melinda McKenna, founder of Supply the Teachers; and Russell Bridges, government and community affairs manager for 3M

What: Launch of Supply the Teachers and recognition of 3M donation

When: 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18

Where: AISD Warehouse, 3701 Woodbury Drive

Background: With support from community volunteers, including more than 100 student athletes from the University of Texas at Austin, Supply the Teachers transformed about 80 pallets of donated 3M supplies into more than 6,300 gift boxes to distribute to AISD teachers. The district’s drivers will deliver the boxes to schools Friday, Feb. 19, through the end of the month.

In addition to the donation of supplies for AISD teachers, 3M volunteers with AISD students and provides financial support for STEM projects and the Project Lead the Way program.