CORE launches school-supply grants for food and beverage families

CORE has launched Caring for the Classroom, a new grant program with IMI Agency as title sponsor to help qualifying food and beverage families pay for back-to-school essentials. The program is accepting sponsorships through July 31 as CORE seeks to expand its reach nationwide.

Why it matters: - Back-to-school costs can strain food and beverage families already facing financial pressure. - The grant program is designed to help children start school with notebooks, backpacks, calculators, and other classroom basics. - CORE says the effort turns industry support into direct aid for families nationwide.

What happened: - CORE, a national nonprofit that assists families of food and beverage employees in crisis, announced Caring for the Classroom. - IMI Agency is the title sponsor of the program. - The initiative provides financial grants to qualifying families to cover essential school supplies. - Jill Chapman, senior director of corporate partnerships at CORE, said back-to-school season is a predictable pressure point for working families. - Chapman said the program aims to help a child walk into the first day of school feeling assured and empowered.

The details: - CORE is seeking additional corporate and individual partners to expand the program's reach. - CORE is accepting sponsorships through July 31. - Companies can become a $2,500 Presenting Sponsor by contacting Jill Chapman at jill@coregives.org. - Individuals can make donations at Caring for the Classroom donations. - Grant qualifications and application details are available at CORE's Caring for the Classroom page. - CORE says the program is supported by corporate sponsors and partners across the food and beverage industry.

Between the lines: - The launch extends CORE's crisis-assistance model into seasonal education costs, not just emergency needs. - The sponsorship push suggests the nonprofit is trying to scale the program before the new school year begins. - The effort also gives food and beverage companies a visible way to support employees' families outside the workplace.

What's next: - CORE will continue recruiting sponsors and donors through July 31. - More families could receive grants if the nonprofit secures additional support. - CORE says the program is aimed at helping families across the country prepare children for school.

The bottom line: - CORE is using industry-backed grants to offset one of the most predictable budget hits for working families: back-to-school supplies.