CPS, Groupon partner to get kids school supplies

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Updated: August 15, 2011 11:49PM

A first-of-its-kind program aimed at providing Chicago students with school supplies will launch Tuesday through a partnership between the Chicago Public Schools and Groupon.

“Kitz for Kids” will be available through Groupon’s daily e-mail and at Groupon.com/Chicago between Tuesday morning and Thursday night. The program seeks people to pledge in increments of $12 to buy supply kits for students.

“Our goal is to take every one of these kits and put them in the hands of our students,” said CPS communications chief Becky Carroll.

More than 85 percent of CPS students this year will come from low-income families, and more than 15,000 students will be homeless, according to the school system.

CPS is collaborating with Groupon’s “G-Team,” a segment of the Chicago-based Web company aimed at connecting people to their communities, on the project. The pre-made kits will provide students with more than 30 types of school supplies, including folders, notebooks, paper, pens and a paint set.

Darryl Holliday