MPS Foundation holds 'Teachers Pick' school supply drive-thru as new school year approaches

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Summer is winding down and Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) students will be back in class next week. 

Monday, Aug. 24, teachers got a little help getting ready. 

The MPS Foundation held its first-ever "Teachers Pick" school supply drive-thru, giving educators a chance to stock up on what they need. 

The foundation's president says helping teachers now can make a big difference once students walk through the doors. 

"Well, there's no question in our mind that teachers are the heroes," said John Kersey, president of the Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation. "And anything that we can do to help teachers at Milwaukee Public Schools is just gonna benefit the whole community."

The first 1,000 MPS teachers got to choose from one of three boxes filled with commonly used classroom supplies. 

According to a study from Capital One, the average educator spends about $900 out of pocket on classroom materials every year.