PEMCO Mutual Insurance Launches Third Annual “Supply Surge” School Supply Drive

Supply Surge rallies local businesses and community partners to support students in need

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As students prepare for back-to-school – whether from a virtual or in-person classroom – PEMCO Mutual Insurance is once again leading its annual “Supply Surge” school supply drive from August 3 to August 21, 2020, through an online event to help support homeless and underserved students across the Puget Sound region and beyond.

Since 2018, Supply Surge has rallied donors and organizations to collect more than 295,000 individual classroom supplies, and PEMCO is once again ramping up to connect students with the tools they need to succeed. Supply Surge will bring together 36 South Lake Union businesses, as well as donors from across the Northwest, to provide students with essential school supplies – from paper and pencils to glue sticks and scissors – regardless of how or when schools return.

“This year, PEMCO and our outstanding community partners will work to help students overcome just some of the hardships families are facing throughout this pandemic,” said Stan McNaughton, CEO of PEMCO. “Supporting teachers, students and families has been important to PEMCO since our founding, and although this school year will look different, the tools for success remain the same, and our commitment is stronger than ever.”

The Supply Surge team currently includes community-focused organizations like Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Vulcan, Inc., Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Sellen Construction, MoPOP, Pacific Science Center and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as many other South Lake Union businesses that have come together to influence the lives of vulnerable students this year.

More information on participating business, as well as the full list of requested items, can be found by visiting www.pemco.com/supply-surge.

As part of PEMCO’s commitment to supporting the education and development of young learners, the PEMCO Foundation will also match donations made when the drive launches on August 3 and August 4, up to a total of $5,000. On the final days of the drive, August 19-21, the PEMCO Foundation will once again ensure that every item donated has a greater impact by matching up to an additional $5,000.

Donations collected during this online-only drive will be distributed across eight Seattle elementary schools that are supported by Seattle Public Schools’ McKinney-Vento Program, which supports low-income families and students experiencing homelessness. Additionally, PEMCO’s Lynnwood and Spokane offices will contribute to schools that have the greatest need in their respective districts.

Requested supplies were selected in partnership with the individual schools to ensure this year’s drive is delivering exactly what staff, students and families need for the uncharted upcoming school year. At the end of the drive, all items will be divided and delivered directly to the schools to be distributed among their respective student populations.

“The need among some of our students is immense and requires the focus of not just Seattle Public Schools, but the community at large,” said Tim Robinson, SPS spokesperson who closely supports the SPS McKinney-Vento Team. “That’s why we are so grateful for PEMCO’s dedication and leadership in rallying so many great members of the business community to help our students.”

For more information on PEMCO’s Supply Surge, visit www.pemco.com/blog/supply-surge-2020.

About PEMCO Mutual Insurance

PEMCO Mutual Insurance is the Defender of Your Northwest, providing auto, home, renters and boat coverage. We are consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee expertise and social impact. Our Mutual Good programs raise the achievement levels for youth in education; build stronger, greener environments; and increase safety at home, on the road and at play. Our mission: Free our communities to worry less and live more. To learn more, visit www.pemco.com.