Boston Students, Teachers, Families Benefit from Iron Workers’ Local 7 School Supply Drive

SOUTH BOSTON, MA / AGILITYPR.NEWS / February 28, 2022 / Teachers Spend An Average of $750 To Ensure Students Have the Supplies They Need

Iron Workers Local 7, one of Boston’s largest unions, distributed school supplies to Boston students, teachers, and families as part of their 2nd Annual Mid-Year School Supply Drive Saturday. Local 7 members stopped by the Union Hall throughout the morning to drop off, sort, and hand out donations.  

“In the middle of a continuing pandemic and a difficult economy, working families need all the help they can get, and we’re honored to do what we can to help,” said Frank Murray, Chairperson of Local 7's NEXT Committee, who helped plan the School Supply Drive. “Iron Workers Local 7 is proud to partner with teachers and families in Boston in helping our kids succeed.”

The Iron Workers’ School Supply Drive came at a critical time for Boston families — supplies collected at the beginning of the school year have been depleted, but there are still four months to go in the school year. A 2021 survey by the national nonprofit AdoptAClassroom.org found that teachers spend an average of $750 of their own money to provide students with supplies and resources to succeed. The drive alleviated pressure from parents to purchase supplies, as well as from teachers who often have to spend their own income to provide supplies to their students. 

“As teachers in Boston and all over the Commonwealth navigate another difficult school year, Local 7’s, generosity is warmly welcomed and gratefully received,” said Jessica Tang, President of the Boston Teachers Union. “BTU thanks Iron Workers Local 7 for providing our families and educators with crucial supplies to make the rest of the school year a success for our students.”

Members of Local 7's NEXT Committee, comprised of the Iron Workers Union's young leaders, coordinated with the Boston Teachers Union, inviting parents and teachers to stop by and pick up supplies for their students during the drive.