Melinda McKenna

There are neighbors among us who are making a difference in our community. Putting forth their time, energy, and resources, they tend to the important needs in our community. Their interest drives them to champion a cause, and their passion keeps them in the game. Melinda McKenna is one such champion. As the founder of Supply the Teachers, Melinda helps bring much-needed resources to the teachers in our communities. “My dream is for the community to come together to support their local school,” Melinda said.

 Founded in 2015, Supply the Teachers is a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide financial support to teachers, specifically for the purchase of supplies and classroom resources. Why is this important work? Because most Texas teachers are responsible for purchasing their own classroom supplies — using their own personal funds! This is tough on educators, who are already underpaid. And the burden of trying to raise their own funds saps time and energy that teachers could otherwise be spending on the educational needs of their students. Supply the Teachers is making a difference in our community by “bridging the resource gap for teachers, one supply at a time,” says Melinda.

 Melinda McKenna and her husband, Bob, moved to Circle C in 1994. Having volunteered on the Clayton Elementary School – Campus Advisory Committee for over ten years, Melinda saw firsthand that teachers were struggling to keep their classrooms stocked with necessary supplies. But Melinda’s heart was in the game even before she started volunteering. With two great-grandmothers who were teachers, Melinda comes from a family who cares about education. In fact, her own daughter currently teaches high school chemistry and biology (and her need for supplies seems never-ending). Today, in addition to her work with Supply the Teachers, Melinda is the owner of Austin Real Estate Partners. Simply put, Melinda has a talent for connecting people in order to solve problems. When she’s on a mission, there’s no stopping her!

 “Our team at Supply the Teachers is on a mission to make sure all teachers have access to the supplies they need when they need them,” explains Melinda. “With donors like you, we can ensure that no teacher in Texas has to spend another dime out of their already limited income to provide the highest level of education to your kids and your community.” Supply the Teachers accepts monetary donations through their secure website. For more information and to make a donation, please visit www. SupplyTheTeachers.org or call (512) 381-1600.