Frequently Asked Questions :: Donors

1. Are my donations to Supply Our Schools tax deductible?
   Yes. Donations to Supply Our Schools, a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, are deductible for computing income and estate taxes. Click here to help support Supply Our Schools.
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2. What is a Free/Reduced Lunch?
   Free/Reduced Price Lunches are available to children who meet certain "income" criteria. Free/Reduced lunches are often used as a measure of school district needs.
   
   As of December 2003, children from families with income below 130% of the national poverty line are eligible for free meals. Children from families with an income between 130% and 185% of the national poverty line are eligible for meals for no more than 40 cents at lunch and 30 cents at breakfast.
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3. How do I decide which Supply List to purchase from?
   You can search for a Supply List by school, state, zip code or you can search for Supply Lists based on criteria such as percentage of Free/Reduced Lunches.
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4. How is SOS funded?
   At present, the founder of Supply Our Schools, Radhika Murari, is supporting SOS from her husband's income. Ms. Murari is being aided in her efforts by SOS' Board of Directors and volunteers.
   If you would like to help support SOS, please do so here.
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5. How do I know that my online transaction is secure?
   Supply Our Schools has chosen PayPal as our eCommerce solution and thus never asks for or stores any of your financial information.
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6. How do I make donations in someone else's name?
   Buying supplies in someone else's name is a wonderful way to celebrate a festive occasion, be it a birthday, wedding, anniversary, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanza or Christmas!
   
   You can enter your Honoree's email address just before paying. Your Honoree will then get an email telling them about the donation. S/he will also get an email notification when the teacher confirms receipt of the supplies and Thank You notes have been written. In addition, you will get an email and printable receipt for your records.
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Frequently Asked Questions :: Teachers

1. Who can create Supply Lists?
   Supply Our Schools is set up to cater to those who directly serve students in the US public school system. Thus, teachers, coaches, librarians, and counselors can create Supply Lists.
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2. How do I create a Supply List?
   Think of your Supply List as an online gift registry. You can browse the inventory of supplies listed on the SOS Website. When you find an item you need, enter the quantity you require, the date by which you would like the supplies and then hit the "Add to Supply List" button. Your Supply List will be automatically updated.
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3. What if I can’t find an item on SOS’ inventory List?
   You can make a suggestion to add a specific item to our Inventory List by using the Supply Suggestion Form.
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4. How do I know if something has been purchased from my Supply List?
   You will receive an email notification when something has been purchased from your Supply List. At any time, you can check the status of your expected supplies on the SOS website.
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5. What does Supply Our Schools expect from me in return for this service?
   As you know, donors are motivated to contribute when they have a clear understanding of the positive impact of their donations. Needless to say, the more positive feedback donors gets, the more inclined they will be to continue participating in this endeavor.
   
   To this end, Supply Our Schools has only one requirement of teachers - the timely acknowledgement of receipt of the supplies. SOS has defined timely acknowledgement of receipt as being within 5 business days of the Expected Delivery Date.
   
   When the supplies are shipped to you, SOS will send you an email with a link to your personal Shipment Status Page on the SOS website. On this page will be a list of the expected delivery dates for your shipments. When you received the shipment of supplies, SOS asks that you enter the Shipment Receipt Date on the website. This acknowledgement will then be sent to the donor and will give them a precise account of their contributions.
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6. How can I spread the word about Supply Our Schools?
   There are many easy ways to spread the word about SOS. Here are some suggestions:
   • Tell all of your peers around the country about SOS - any teachers, librarian, coach or counselor in a US public school can create a Supply List.
   • Tell your PTA to spread the word about SOS. Suggest that they concentrate their fundraising efforts on getting donors to the SOS website.
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