Funds Raised by JCPenney Allow AdoptAClassroom.org to Distribute More Than $1 Million to Teachers Nationwide

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to funds raised by JCPenney, national nonprofit organization, AdoptAClassroom.org, was today able to disperse more than $1 million to teachers registered with adoptaclassroom.org, many of who teach in JCPenney store communities across the country. The funds dispersed today were raised during the month of August through JCPenney's charitable giving program, jcp cares, when back-to-school shoppers were invited to round up their JCPenney purchases to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to AdoptAClassroom.org. The $1 million raised in August was awarded today to nearly 7,000 teachers and will be used to assist them in purchasing school supplies for their classrooms.

Each of JCPenney's stores adopted a teacher in its local area and provided them with a $400 grant to purchase much-needed classroom supplies. The remaining amount of just over $500,000 was dispersed to teachers registered with AdoptAClassroom.org whose classrooms have yet to be adopted. An additional 5694 teachers will be surprised with a $100 donation to their AdoptAClassroom.org account, which they can use to shop from the organization's network of more than 40 vendors.

"Our friends at JCPenney and their customers have made an incredible contribution to our cause. Thanks to the support from their round up campaign this past August, we will be able to help nearly 7,000 teachers nationwide," said Bob Thacker, executive director, AdoptAClassroom.org. "Partners like JCPenney are instrumental in our mission to end teacher-funded classrooms and provide teachers with the resources needed for student success."

More than 15 million children live in households with families who cannot provide all the resources needed to succeed in school. Today, teachers have to purchase nearly 75 percent of all classroom materials out of their own pockets. On average, teachers spend up to $1000 of their own money each school year — totaling more than $3 billion annually — buying materials for their classrooms. AdoptAClassroom.org strives to put an end to this growing epidemic by empowering teachers with the funds they need to purchase classroom supplies they need to do their job.

"We are thrilled that with the support of our customers we have been able to make a difference in helping out teachers across the country," said Miki Woodard, jcp cares president and vice president of philanthropy for JCPenney. "Working with AdoptAClassroom.org gave us the opportunity to further a cause that we know is close to the hearts of both our customers and our associates."

About AdoptAClassroom.org
AdoptAClassroom.org is a national 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ending teacher-funded classrooms. We support teachers by providing them with the funds needed to purchase much-needed classroom materials and supplies.  Many teachers spend as much as $1,000 annually of their own money to equip their classrooms. Since 1998 AdoptAClassroom.org has raised more than $18 million to benefit classrooms across America and recently earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. To adopt a classroom near you, visit www.adoptaclassroom.org.

About JCPenney:
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP), one of the nation's largest apparel and home furnishing retailers, is dedicated to becoming America's preferred retail destination for unmatched style, quality and value. Across approximately 1,100 stores and at jcp.com, customers will discover an inspiring shopping environment that features the most sought after collection of private, national and exclusive brands and attractions. For more information, please visit jcp.com.

SOURCE AdoptAClassroom.org