South Bend Education Foundation 'shocked' by $25k AEP donation

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation granted the South Bend Education Foundation $25,000 to support the foundation's Teacher Wish List and Teacher Store initiatives. 

The grant will support the Foundation’s Teacher Wish List and Teacher Store initiatives, both of which provide support for teachers through funding of needed classroom supplies that directly impact learning.

“I&M has partnered with the South Bend Education Foundation and South Bend Community Schools to help further student learning for many years. We are grateful to receive this support from our friends at the AEP Foundation,” said South Bend Education Foundation Board President Miguel Salazar. “We know that our dedicated teachers spend a great deal of their own money on basic classroom supplies. The Foundation helps offset these costs through these two programs.”

The grant was awarded from AEP to the South Bend Education Foundation after the recommendation of Indiana Michigan Power (I&M).

According to the foundation, the Teacher Wish List is an application-based program, where teachers can apply for mini grants up to $300 to support classroom needs.

The Teacher Store is a room that is stocked with typical classroom supplies, which teachers can pick up free of charge.

“Teachers and educators often use their own money to purchase supplies and classroom materials, and it is our hope that with this support, we can help provide the tools they need most to fuel success,” said Indiana Michigan Power External Affairs Manager Mona Livingston.

“The AEP Foundation and I&M want to ensure teachers and students have the necessary tools to educate our future community members and future innovators.”