When Beverly brought her grandchildren to Crazy Horse School in Wanblee, South Dakota, for a school supplies distribution, she was grateful. “I was actually surprised,” she said. “It’s good and it helps. Some of us can’t really go to the city,” where there are more shopping options. 

Beverly cares for six grandchildren on the Pine Ridge Reservation, including 8-year-old Kameria, who loves math and colored pencils. At the distribution, students received backpacks filled with helpful items through the School Supplies service of the American Indian Education Fund® (AIEF), a program of Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA). 

For Beverly, the help couldn’t have come at a better time. “It helps the families here that can’t afford to [travel] or to [buy] the supplies,” she said. “It’s good that the school gets help like that because I can’t get the help. I appreciate any help that we can possibly get.” 

Life on the reservation can be challenging. “It’s good but it’s hard,” Beverly said. “The community needs more housing. That’s a big problem here.” With only one store nearby and high prices, even basics like glue and scissors add up quickly. “It’s outrageous locally because we only have one store,” she said. She spends $100 on gas to reach Rapid City for better shopping prices. “We have to make [our budget] stretch because the kids need clothes and shoes.” 

At the distribution, 139 students received backpacks full of items like notebooks, folders, and pencils, thanks to donor support. Our program partner, Steph G., a student advocate at Crazy Horse School, saw the difference the supplies made. “It really helps because a majority of our kids do not get school supplies regularly, so this is a very big deal for them,” she said. “We have some kids that don’t have a lot.” 

Steph described Wanblee as a high-need area, where families and teachers do their best with limited resources. “A lot of teachers pay for stuff out of pocket, and [the supplies] help tremendously,” she said. 

In Wanblee, where 42% of residents live below the poverty line, these backpacks represented more than school supplies. They were a reminder that families like Beverly’s aren’t alone. 

Your gift to AIEF helps provide students like Kameria with the tools they need to learn, dream, and succeed. 

Please donate today to help Native students start strong this school year.