The Giant Eagle Apples For The Students program, a school fundraising initiative that, each year, provides more than $1 million in classroom learning tools and fitness equipment to more than 2,500 public and private schools, has awarded schools in Sewickley the educational tools they have earned through this year’s program.

Participating schools that received items like an Apple iPad3, an Acer 19-inch computer monitor, Food Group Bingo, a Canon PowerShot 1200 digital camera, Wilson traditional soccer balls and a Luna interactive projection camera were Edgeworth Elementary, Franklin Elementary, Osborne Elementary, Quaker Valley Middle School, Sewickley Academy, St. James School, The Verland Center, and Montessori Children’s Community.

“For 24 years, the Giant Eagle Apples for the Students program has been a great way for schools with a limited budget to acquire computers, accessories, and recreational equipment,” said Giant Eagle Manager of Community Relations Tina Thomson.  “And the money that would have been used to purchase computers can now go towards other in-school programs.

“Not only are the schools able to obtain free classroom educational tools, but the program itself serves to boost school morale.  GiantEagle has seen entire schools unite behind their Apples for the Students goal.”

How the Giant Eagle Apples for the Students Program Works:

Giant Eagle customers can simply call 800-474-4777 or visit the company website at www.gianteagle.com, provide their Giant Eagle Advantage Card® number, and then select the school or schools (up to five per customer) of their choice. 

Spending is tracked by the customers' Giant Eagle Advantage Card, and converted to points for their schools.  The schools redeem the points for the education equipment they choose from a catalog of over 8000 items. Reward items include computer hardware and software, encyclopedias, fitness equipment, teaching tools and even basic school supplies.  There is no limit to the number of computers and/or other learning tools a school can earn within the program time frame. 

The program has proved a real advantage to schools of every size. Jubilee Christian School in Pittsburgh’s South Hills enrolls 85 students in Kindergarten through 6^th grade and has almost three times as many Giant Eagle Apples for the Students supporters.

“We definitely view Apples for the Students as a way to add extra items that are not in the regular budget,” says Ann Thomas, school coordinator and Jubilee Christian School parent. 

Another school, Elizabeth Forward High School, utilizes Apples for the Students to support its science department. 

“We use the program to supplement our science budget,” says John Yarosh, who has coordinated the program for more than 20 years. “This year, among other technology, we are acquiring flash drives for chemistry students to document their procedures and digital flip cams for anatomy and physiology students to record their work. Our science teachers decide what is needed each year.” 

The high school has more than 1,600 supporters using their Giant Eagle Advantage Cards to help the school acquire free educational awards each year.

Giant Eagle was one of the first companies in the nation to launch this program.  Since its inception in 1987, Giant Eagle has presented local schools with nearly $30 million worth of computer hardware, software, encyclopedias, and fitness equipment.

The sustained response to this program has been tremendous, far beyond any of our original expectations,” said Thomson.  “We have provided the program for the schools, but it is the dedication of school coordinator, volunteers and supporters that has made Giant Eagle Apples for the Students a long-lived success.”