Amazon to donate $1M to NoVa schoolchildren amid pandemic

Vouchers can be redeemed for essential items

Published October 7, 2020 by Sydney Lake

Arlington Public Schools announced Wednesday that e-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc., which is establishing its $2.5 billion East Coast HQ2 headquarters in Arlington, will donate $1 million to support the needs of thousands of students from underserved Northern Virginia communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Communities In Schools NOVA will distribute Amazon’s donation through its Right Now Needs Fund, a flexible fund designed to meet schoolchildren’s basic needs, including food, clothing and school supplies across all 41 Arlington Public Schools and all 18 Alexandria City Public Schools.

“The start of this school year has been difficult for many families across our new home of Northern Virginia, and we are determined to provide support to the students who need it most,” Jay Carney, Amazon senior vice president of global corporate affairs, said in a statement. “At Amazon, we are always looking for innovative solutions to tough challenges, and we are confident that the flexibility and speed built into our new Right Now Needs Fund will help ensure that more students from under-served communities can focus on their studies, and not fall behind as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.”

Site coordinators and school social workers within each of the school districts and schools will work with families to identify student needs and request assistance from the fund. Communities In Schools NOVA will distribute prepaid payments designed specifically for education-related needs. Vouchers can be redeemed for items including food, school supplies for at-home learning, warm clothing and hygiene items.

“Communities In Schools NOVA appreciates the trust Amazon has placed in our ability to collaborate with schools and community partners on implementing the Right Now Needs Fund,” Patrick Brennan, Communities In Schools NOVA executive director, said in a statement. “Every student, regardless of circumstance, deserves a seamless system of support so they can stay in school and achieve in life.”