About KidSmart
There are more than 90,000 students in St. Louis who cannot afford basic school supplies like pencils, paper and crayons. KidSmart—Tools for Learning helps these children succeed in school by providing free school supplies through KidSmart’s Free Store.
Donations from individuals and businesses help keep the shelves of KidSmart’s Free Store stocked with everything from crayons, markers and glue to business surplus items such as binders, envelopes and promotional items. Community volunteers stock the shelves, manage inventory and keep the free store running each shopping day.
KidSmart distributes the supplies through teachers who shop at KidSmart’s Free Store once a month. After shopping, teachers distribute the materials directly into the hands of our kids in need. Schools where 70% or more of the children are on the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program, a national poverty index, qualify to shop at KidSmart.
Since opening in 2002, KidSmart has distributed more than $20 million in school supplies to more than 45,000 economically disadvantaged children in the area. There are still more than 45,000 students in desperate need of KidSmart services. KidSmart is proud of its financial stewardship. 92% of all product and monetary donations go directly toward our free store program. With your help today we can paint a bright tomorrow for thousands of area kids in need.
Our Mission:
Our mission is to empower children in need to succeed in school by providing the essential tools for learning.