Donating Nuggets to local teachers

Teachers are superheroes — spending weeks getting their classrooms ready for new students. Almost every teacher you know has spent their own money on classroom necessities — paper to draw on, tissues to wipe runny noses, cleaning supplies to deal with messes, and even fans to help keep the classroom cool. And many teachers personally pay for supplies that serve kids beyond the classroom, too: items like feminine hygiene products, extra clothes, and snacks to help hungry kids be able to focus on lessons.

All children deserve to have healthy, creative, and playful educational experiences — and that requires resources. That’s why Nugget has worked to support public educators since our founding. We’ve donated more than $60k in product donations to public school classrooms through our own programs and giveaways, and together with Nuggeteers’ support, we’ve donated a total of $57,500 to nonprofits like DonorsChoose and Student U.

This year, we wanted to take Nugget's support for public education hyper-local. We gave around 400 nearly-perfect Nuggets to our employees so they could donate them to local teachers and classrooms all over the Raleigh-Durham, NC area. Here are a few of the recipients — and why Team GG wanted to help support them.

It means so much to me to give back to the teachers who have brought so much joy to my son. Navigating school with autism has its challenges, but these teachers have truly made a difference in our lives. I hope this small gesture — made possible by Nugget — shows a fraction of my appreciation.

I donated to my neighborhood elementary school, a Title I community school with a Spanish immersion program. I don't have kids that go there, but many of my neighbors do, and they were thrilled to get a Nugget for their classroom.

We gave a Nugget to my daughter’s fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Thie. It was so fun to offer something cozy to encourage reading and reflection time for these kids ahead of their transition to middle school.

Señora Averre was my son's first grade teacher, and she is nothing short of remarkable. I love being able to support her and her dedication to making the classroom more accommodating to all kinds of kids. This Nugget will be used for a calming corner to help when kids are overstimulated or just need some space.

I donated Nuggets to my sister-in-law’s classroom. She always gives her all to her students. It felt good to be able to help her and her fellow teachers provide a comfortable space for many students to learn on for many years to come!

My daughter is starting Kindergarten this year! I've been working at Nugget since she was 2.5 years old, so it was very exciting to me to donate Nuggets to her elementary school. She's so excited to be able to give to her community and have the comfort of home at school.

To be clear: Families, teachers, and private businesses shouldn’t have to shore up public education or help fill the gaps in funding, resources, and supplies. Let’s all keep advocating for long-term change — better teacher pay, increased staffing in schools, and more funding for underserved areas. 

Until that happens, Nugget is happy to donate to teachers in our community — and we’ll never stop working to grow our imaginations to create an equitable educational system for all.