As far as the actual day to day help for the really unfortunate kids, the 'drive' idea is a good one -- maybe have a PTO 'shop' for gently used clothes/coats -- no charge to members or some kind of 'exchange' were you have to donate or return something to get another one.

I'd also look to have some sort of event fairly regularly with a free hot meal. I'd bet grocery stores or restaurants in your area would be willing to help (donate) if you presented a coherent plan.

For fund raising, I would look to applying for grants as a primary focus. Many companies have programs to help schools, and many of them target schools in low-income areas.

We are mostly blue-collar middle class, but I am also looking to move us in that direction. There is so much $$$ available other places, it bugs me a little that we squeeze the money for everything we do out of our own (the membership's) pockets. In your case, it makes a lot more sense.

I love those ideas. We are also a low income school. Last year we were able to give a donation to the school's social worker that in turned used it for a family in need. We helped a child with field trip money once. We are looking to do more of these types of things for our students this year. I created a wish list for teachers to use to let the PTO know of a child in need. We will give the social worker a donation to use for a family in need at thanksgiving and at christmas time.
Pretty much it is trail and error. The things that didn't work last year, will be set aside. And try something new this year.

We are not in the same situation you are in, however, we let the Principal let us know if there is a family/child that could use the PTO's help and we do so discreetly.

One time the Principal suggested a "scholarship" for a once-in-a-lifetime summer opportunity for an unnamed child - the PTO membership approved it. Another time, there was a new family that was unprepared for winter and we got some coats/clothes donated by some select parents (rather than from the PTO budget).

Hope this helps.

At the elementary we give $100.00 to our FRC. Each school in the district has an FRC or YSC office which takes in used clothing, food, hygiene products, school supplies etc. If you don't have one perhaps your PTO could start one. Our FRCs ask for gently used clothing. They purchase socks and underwear for sanitary reasons. This is also used if a child has an accident at school, that way a parent doesn't have to leave work or find someone to come and get a student. You could do "drives." Maybe make it a monthly thing.

September- School Supply Drive
October- Clothing drive (around here this is typically when we start sorting through our fall and winter clothes)
November- Food Drive (our FRC does this every year and makes food baskets for several families that qualify)
December- Toy Drive
January- Coat Drive
February- you could ask for soaps, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.

Or maybe you could find a storage place in your school and ask people to send all these things in to fill it up.

You could also make it a class challenge. Winner at the end of the month gets free gym time, extra recess, perhaps you could get snacks or dare I say it Pizza donated and give them a party.

I am the president of the PTO of a very low income school, about 80%. At our school everyone is a member, but the work is typically done by people in the other 20%. We've always been more focused on fundraising than anything else, and we either buy things for the school or give money to teachers. As you would imagine, our budget is small, less than $5000.

Although I realize we have to continue to raise money as best we can, I feel like we should be doing more for the kids and families. Some of them are homeless, many are barely making ends meet. Most of them are a lot more focused on surviving than helping out at their kids' school, which is understandable. I know I can't save the world, but what can we do to help these kids?

I'm interested in hearing from other low income PTOs--how do you go about doing what you do? And what do you do? And from other PTOs--do you have any ideas about programs we could do to help these kids? The school provides breakfast and lunch, but some of our younger kids sleep during the day because for whatever reason they don't get to sleep at night, some don't have proper clothing for the weather, I'm sure some don't have school supplies or money for field trips.

Thanks!