(BPT) - As summer winds down and thoughts turn to back-to-school, many teachers around the country know that not all of their students will come to school equipped with a backpack full of school supplies. An alarmingly high number of teachers, 92% nationwide, have students whose families cannot afford the necessary school supplies, according to AdoptAClassroom.org. For families that may be struggling economically, those crayons, folders and No. 2 pencils can add up to a hefty price tag when wondering if they can put food on the table and keep the electricity on.

So, what's the answer? All too often, teachers use their own funds to purchase supplies for the classroom - an average of $860 out of pocket per year. As most people know, these dedicated educators don't get paid enough as it is. There has to be a better solution than stretching their resources thinner.

Nonprofits + corporate dollars can help bridge the gap

That's where Subaru comes in. As part of its Subaru Loves Learning^® initiative, the automaker that brought us groundbreaking vehicles like the Outback and Forester is making a game-changing effort to bring school supplies into classrooms in high-needs schools across the country.

Subaru is continuing its partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, a nonprofit that funds PreK-12 teachers in high-needs schools to help equip classrooms with the supplies students need to learn and thrive. As their largest corporate sponsor, as of this year's initiative Subaru and its retailers will have supported 750,000 students by helping them get the supplies they need to succeed in the classroom.

"Starting the school year off right with the supplies necessary to hit the ground running is important, especially for children in high-needs schools," said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Subaru of America, Inc. "Along with AdoptAClassroom.org, our retailers are taking some of the financial burden off teachers' shoulders and working towards leveling the playing field for students."

Supplies help students get ready to learn

The four-year-strong partnership between Subaru, participating retailers, and AdoptAClassroom.org is producing great results. According to a teacher survey conducted by AdoptAClassroom.org:

• 91% of teachers said Subaru's donation increased access to materials they couldn't buy without it.
• 98% of teachers surveyed who received a supply kit said it helped them spend less of their own money on school supplies during the last school year.
• On average, 89% of students in classrooms adopted by Subaru were more engaged in their learning because of the donation.

One reason the partnership works so well is that the AdoptAClassroom.org model isn't about just delivering backpacks filled with supplies to classrooms. Teachers register with the program and are given funding that they can use to buy exactly what they need via the organization's online marketplace. Then, those hand-picked supplies are delivered directly to their classrooms. In other words, it's not a cookie-cutter solution. It's tailor-made.

Sometimes, a brand isn't just a brand. A product isn't just a product. And in Subaru's case, a car company isn't just a car company. Subaru has a long history of giving people and their pets more than just a ride. It also gives them a leg up. It's part of the Subaru Love Promise, the company's commitment to being a positive force in the communities in which they live and work, not just with donations, but with actions that set an example for others to follow.

Here's hoping for a great school year for a larger number of kids and teachers alike. Although the need may be growing, so is the response from organizations that recognize their responsibility to help.

To learn more, visit Subaru Loves Learning and follow @Subaru and #SubaruLovesLearning.