You're on track to get doubled donations (and unlock a reward for the colleague who referred you). Keep up the great work!
Take credit for your charitable giving! Check out your tax receipts
Donate
To use your $50 gift card credits, find a project to fund and we'll automatically apply your credits at checkout. Find a classroom project
Skip to main content

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

See this teacher's page

This teacher needs your help!

Mrs. Kimberly Bender from Summerville, SC is requesting flexible seating through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Mrs. Kimberly Bender is requesting

Literacy Is the Kryptonite!

Help me give my students self-confidence to become proficient readers! Literacy is the kryptonite to the school-to-prison pipeline! Literacy has the potential to change the trajectory of their lives through advancement and opportunity!

  • $6,700 goal

This project expired on May 13, 2025.

2X
Donations doubled!

This project expired on May 13, 2025.

My Project

I'm a teacher at our alternative high school. I am passionate about fostering an environment that promotes literacy. There are deep connections between illiteracy and incarceration. We work with a high percentage of students who are at-risk and statistically are in the school-to-prison pipeline.

Some alarming statistics: (posted on literacymidsouth.org)

* 85 % of all juveniles who interface with the juvenile court system are functionally low-literate.

* High school dropouts are 3.5 times more likely than high school graduates to be arrested in their lifetime.

* 70% of all incarcerated adults cannot read at a fourth-grade level.

The Department of Justice states "The link between academic failure and delinquency, violence, and crime is welded to reading failure."

I would love to create a reading room with a variety of multi-level and high-interest books, audio recording/studio devices, and magazines for students to access. Promoting a school-wide initiative to read will require students to have access to books in our school.

I want to foster reading through community service opportunities for our students. I would like to build weekly reading outreach field trips for students to visit senior communities and elementary schools. Students can also access audio-recording devices to record themselves reading books to upload to a secured online platform. This platform could be made accessible to children who may have incarcerated parents to foster connection.

Literacy can break the cycle of generational poverty and incarceration. It builds confidence and promotes a healthy self-image. We have a responsibility to make literacy a high priority that is available to everyone. Thank you for your time and consideration in supporting this cause!

Mrs. Kimberly Bender Rise Academy Grades 6-8

Celebrate Black teachers and kids! This project supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of students are Black.

More about Mrs. Kimberly Bender

Summerville, SC View local requests

Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

100 students impacted

Boost your odds

Add a profile photo in addition to your classroom photo. If you add a photo, it'll show up right here on your project page.

You are more likely to receive funding if you put a face to your name.

Upload a photo

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

You donate directly to the teacher or project you care about and see where every dollar you give goes.

Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Mrs. Kimberly Bender is requesting.

See our finances

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes
Materials Cost Quantity Total
Edenbrook Lynnwood Upholstered Accent Chair - Living Room Furniture - Office - Bedroom - Mid-Century Modern Design - Armchair - Buttonless Tufting - Simple Assembly - Solid Frame - Black Faux Leather • Amazon Business $244.39 4 $977.56
DKLGG Convertible Futon Sofa Bed, Reclining Lounge Couch Sofa with Armrests, 2 Cup Holders Faux Leather Upholstered and Metal Legs Sleeper Sofa Perfect for Living Room, Small Space, Apartment • Amazon Business $367.20 2 $734.40
Flagship Carpets Schoolgirl Style Picasso Painted Dots Classroom Area Rug for Indoor Classroom Learning or Kid Bedroom Educational Play Mat, 7'6"x12', Black • Amazon Business $324.99 2 $649.98
FOLUBAN Coffee Table, Modern Industrial Wood and Metal Center Table, Rectangle Cocktail Tea Table for Living Room, Dark Gray, 44 Inch • Amazon Business $139.95 2 $279.90
LITTLE TREE 6FT Conference Table, 70.8’’L X 31.5’’W Meeting Room Table, Modern Large Computer Writing Desk, Executive Desk Podcast Table for Office Conference Room • Amazon Business $203.77 1 $203.77
The New York Times Upfront, Grades 9-12 (Print + Digital) • Scholastic Magazines+ $9.99 20 $199.80
WISIMMALL 2PCS RGB Corner Floor Lamp, 64.5" RGB Color Changing Mood Light Bluetooth APP and Remote Control Music Sync LED 398 Dimmable Modes Modern Floor Lamp for Living Room, Light Timing • Amazon Business $85.89 2 $171.78
The First State of Being - Hardcover Book • AKJ Education $10.61 15 $159.15
It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (Adapted for Young Readers) (YA paperback, ages 10+) x MahoganyBooks • DonorsChoose Featured Favorites $10.00 15 $150.00
Invisible Son • Amazon Business $9.90 15 $148.50
Jump (Heights) (The Heights) • Amazon Business $9.75 15 $146.25
Wild Dreamers - Hardcover Book • AKJ Education $8.80 15 $132.00
Unbroken (The Young Adult Adaptation): An Olympian's Journey from Airman to Castaway to Captive • Amazon Business $8.79 15 $131.85
Caitlyn Plouhy - Mid-Air - Hardcover Book • AKJ Education $8.61 15 $129.15
AIGOTEK Floor Lamp for Living Room,Modern Standing Lamps with Lamp Shade,Pole Lamps for Bedrooms, Tall Lamp for Reading with Remote (Modern - White) • Amazon Business $36.99 3 $110.97
Sunny (Track) • Amazon Business $7.21 15 $108.15
So Done • Amazon Business $6.99 15 $104.85
Patina (2) (Track) • Amazon Business $6.71 15 $100.65
We Beat the Street: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success • Amazon Business $6.69 15 $100.35
Ghost (1) (Track) • Amazon Business $6.29 15 $94.35
Flipside Products 11" x 16" Large Dry Erase White Boards, Classroom Pack, Single-Sided Lapboard for Class, Reusable for Group Participation - 12 Pack • Amazon Business $43.79 2 $87.58
Fluorescent Light Covers for Ceiling Lights - Flicker & Glare Reducing Filters for Ceiling Lights - Overhead Light Covers - Light Covers for Classroom and Office - 48" x 24", Blue (8 Pack) • Amazon Business $62.00 1 $62.00
PyleUsa Microphone Isolation Shield, 5 Panel Acoustic Vocal Sound Dampening Noise Absorb Record Studio,1.6" Foam,Adjust Mic Depth,Removable Shock Mount, ⅝" Threaded,Podcast,Sing and Broadcast-1 set • Amazon Business $49.99 1 $49.99
Pyle USB Microphone Podcast Recording Kit - Audio Cardioid Condenser Mic w/Desktop Stand and Pop Filter - for Gaming PS4, Streaming, Podcasting, Studio, YouTube, Works w/Windows Mac PC PDMIKT120 • Amazon Business $37.95 1 $37.95
LiqInkol Dry Erase Markers Bulk, 144 Pack Black Whiteboard Markers, Chisel Point Low Odor Dry Erase Markers for School Office Home • Amazon Business $33.79 1 $33.79
#136 Phenomenal Reading, Literacy, Learn to Read Poster for Middle and High Schools • Amazon Business $17.97 1 $17.97
Mamba Mentality Poster Motivational Quotes Wall Art Decor Boys Room Decor Office Motivational Basketball Sports Posters Gym Sign Locker Room Decor Great Things Come From Hard Work Metal Signs Home • Amazon Business $14.99 1 $14.99
Inspiration Office Wall Decor 11x14 - Inspirational Posters for Men - positive affirmation Wall Decor - Cat Gifts for Women - Gym, Home Office Wall Art - Mindset is Everything - Motivational Quotes • Amazon Business $14.80 1 $14.80
Black Girl Motivational Wall Art 11x14 - African American Art Print - Inspirational Quotes Poster - Kids Room, Little Girls Bedroom Decor - Teen Girls Room Wall Print, Daughter Gifts, Positive Sayings • Amazon Business $14.80 1 $14.80
African American Wall Art Classroom Decor - Black Art - Inspirational Wall Decor - African American Boys, Men - Motivational Posters - Positive Quotes Decoration - Reading Picture - Black Pride • Amazon Business $12.82 1 $12.82
Muhammad Ali Poster Quote Boxing Black History Month Posters Sports Quotes Decorations Growth Mindset Décor Learning Classroom Teachers Decoration Educational Teaching Supplies Black Wall Art P046 • Amazon Business $9.99 1 $9.99
OWLKELA 30 Pack Whiteboard Eraser for Kids and Adults, Magnetic Whiteboard Eraser for Cleaning Dry Erase Markers on Magnetic Soft Whiteboard, Glass Whiteboard and Dry Erase Board • Amazon Business $9.98 1 $9.98

Materials cost

$5,200.07

Vendor shipping charges

 $19.98

Sales tax

 $366.60

3rd party payment processing fee

$78.00

Fulfillment labor & materials

$30.00

Total project cost

$5,694.65

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$1,004.94

Total project goal

$6,699.59

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

View complete list Show less

Give the most requested basic supplies

See teacher requests

Give back to your community

Find opportunities to impact local needs by exploring a map of classroom projects near you.

See local area

Project Activity

Project Activity
Back to top

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Kimberly Bender and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.

See how DonorsChoose works
{"pmaHash":"","showProjectRecommendations":true,"leadGenEnabled":true,"hideTeacherDetails":false,"schoolState":"SC","teacherPossessivePronoun":"her","PMsManager":null,"schoolGradeType":{"id":3,"name":"Middle School"},"TeacherPMForms":{},"completingDonationAmount":3350,"teacherHasClassroomPhoto":false,"proposalURL":"https://www.donorschoose.org/project/literacy-is-the-kryptonite/9061644/","mayHaveReplacements":false,"numStudents":100,"teacherScreenName":"Mrs. Kimberly Bender","isEquityFocus":false,"proposalHash":"-1470325361","isApplePayMobileOnly":true,"progressBarPercentage":0.00,"photosPublished":false,"queryString":"","DonorPMForm":null,"schoolCity":"Summerville","teachersOnPage":[9894882],"isTeacherViewingTheirOwnProject":false,"minimizedLeadGenEnabled":false,"proposalId":9061644,"proposalMessageFormModel":null,"numActiveProjects":0,"verifyShowPhotos":"","eligibleToBeCopied":false,"authorIds":{"9894882":{"owner":"Mrs. Kimberly Bender","donationSalutations":{}}},"displayedPercentFunded":0.0,"proposalsOnPage":[9061644],"pmaId":"","teacherProfilePhotoURL":"https://storage.donorschoose.net/dc_prod/images/teacher/profile/orig/tp9894882_orig.jpg?crop=1528,1528,x208,y787&width=136&height=136&fit=bounds&auto=webp&t=1736905188321","teacherHasProfilePhoto":true,"currentWorkflowStatusCode":7,"teacherChallengeId":22455179,"isApplePayEnabled":true,"fundedByTarget":false,"activeProject":null,"donorIdsForImpactPhotoCheck":[],"teacherId":9894882,"schoolCounty":"Dorchester","fullyFunded":false,"isStudentLed":false,"isExpired":true,"schoolStateObj":{"code":"SC","name":"South Carolina"}}