The classroom supply gap may be the most bipartisan issue in America in 2026. It's the difference between what students need for learning and what schools can actually afford to provide — a gap that teachers are often left to fill on their own.
DonorsChoose is the leading nonprofit classroom funding site for public school teachers. We analyzed over 60,000 classroom requests from 2026, grouping them by “red state” or “blue state” based on 2024 presidential election results. What we found transcended every political affiliation. In fact, 35 states share the same three items in their top most-requested resources. Books. Classroom snacks. Educational toys.
When we really look at what teachers are saying, we learn that the things students need to thrive aren't partisan, they're human:
📚 Something to read.
🍎 Something to eat.
🧸 Something to play with and learn from.
In a nation divided by so much, supporting students is something we can all get behind. Read on to hear directly from teachers across the country about what their students need.
Most Requested Resource #1: Books
All 50 states and Washington, D.C. had print books in their top three most-requested materials. For 45 states, books was the #1 most requested item. Whether they’re replacing dog-eared copies, expanding from a single novel to a class set, diversifying and updating materials, or filling out different reading levels, teachers nationwide need help stocking their classroom shelves.
Arizona
“Our classroom library has become outdated. I still have books I got 20 years ago when I first started teaching, and that's fine, the students still read them, but I want to get some books that they like and that they told me they wanted.”
—Mr. Brennan
John E White Elementary School
From his request: Updating Our Classroom Library
California
“Due to budget cuts, skipped finance cycles, and other undisclosed reasons, our students have suffered with outdated material for too long. Some books are as old as 1985 with the newest being from 2009… I want to take matters into my own hands and support my students with what they deserve — beautiful and thought-provoking books.”
—Mr. McCall
Middletown High School
From his request: My Students Deserve Good, Diverse Books
Kentucky
“Our students deserve a library that is as dynamic, diverse, and brilliant as they are. They come to school every day ready to learn, but are often met with a book collection that is worn out, culturally outdated, and unable to reflect their rich personal worlds.”
—Ms. Gross
Northern Elementary School
From her request: Hooked on Books
Minnesota
“I evaluated our library recently and quickly realized our high school section was in desperate need of updating. My high school students deserve books that reflect the world they live in as well as experience new worlds both real and imaginary.”
—Mrs. Sloot
St Paul City PK-12 School
From her request: High Hopes for High School
Most Requested Resource #2: Food Items
Hungry students can't learn and teachers know it. For 47 states and Washington, D.C., classroom food items ranked among the top three most-requested supplies. Before there can be focused, engaged minds, there have to be full bellies.
Louisiana
“ Students should never have to go through a day hungry. My goal for this project is to make sure my care closet is never empty when they need something.”
—Mrs. Vance
Cope Middle School
From her request: Snacks and Supplies
Maryland
“The snacks will be for in-class but also so that students can take one or two home each day as needed. Food insecurity is a real issue in our city.”
— Mx. Padro
Patterson Senior High School 405
From their request: Quick Snacks for Hungry Students
North Dakota
“ This year, I know that so many of my classroom parents are struggling with just the necessities. Students need a snack every day. School days can get long. Students need to focus on learning, not on how hungry they are.”
—Mrs. Sjoquist
Sawyer School
From her request: Shark, err Snack Attack!
New Mexico
“Living in Santa Fe, many of our students face economic instability. One in four children in the state of New Mexico do not have enough food at home. These students receive school lunch, but for many of them, this is not enough to get through the entire day. Ensuring that hunger is not an obstacle in my students’ ability to learn is essential to their success.”
— Mrs. Jones
Amy Biehl Community School
From her request: Healthy Snacks for Success
Most Requested Resource #3: Educational Toys
Hands-on learning tools — including manipulatives, games, and puzzles — landed in the top 3 most-requested classroom supplies for 39 states and D.C. As building blocks for early childhood education, educational toys help kids engage with complex ideas and uncover creative solutions. But when budgets tighten, they're often the first to go.
Florida
“My amazing students thrive with hands-on activities and experiences. [They] will love these science, technology, engineering, and mathematics items to help them learn the Florida science and math standards.”
—Mrs. May
Lockhart Elementary Magnet School
From her request: STEM in Primary
Massachusetts
“My students work so diligently to complete the class work and meet district and state learning standards. It would be amazing to be able to provide them access to more hands-on activities and games.”
—Ms. Barr
STEM Academy
From her request: STEM FUN!
Missouri
“Recently, our state banned all personally owned electronic devices at school. I hope to stock our commons area with alternative [non-digital] activities that draw students together through cooperation and competition.”
—Mr. Bennion
East Newton High School
From his request: Never a Dull Moment!
New York
“I teach 25 bright and beautiful children in a high need area of New York City. My classroom is not equipped with all the necessary math materials that we need to make math an engaging and hands-on experience for students. I am asking for materials that we will be using all year to help learn all the standards.”
—Ms. Gupta
School In the Square Charter School
From her request: Support My Master Mathematicians!
In Teachers (and Students!) We Trust
Educators everywhere know what their students need — and in so many places across the country, schools just don’t have the funds. East and West. Rural and urban. Red and blue. It doesn't matter.
"In rural Vermont, budget cuts happen all the time."
"Due to funding cuts in New Mexico, teachers are receiving less essential resources and are personally responsible for purchasing fundamental materials to keep the classroom running."
"Our students in South Phoenix have been hit hard with budget cuts and low funding. Our kids deserve more!"
The political map may be divided, but the classroom supply list isn't.
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