H-E-B and Houston-area customers donate over $135,000 in school supplies to support Communities In Schools of Houston

For the second year, H-E-B and Communities In Schools (CIS) of Texas partnered to ensure students start the school year prepared to learn. Through a statewide cash register campaign in August, H-E-B customers generously donated a total of $643,963 to provide essential school supplies for students in need. Of that amount, $135,054 was directed to Communities In Schools of Houston thanks to Houston-area H-E-B shoppers, who supported local students in need in schools in several school districts.

 For many Texas families, the cost of school supplies can be a significant financial strain. Thanks to the generosity of H-E-B customers and the company’s commitment to support education, students across the state will have the materials they need to succeed in the classroom.

All funds raised through the campaign will stay local, with each H-E-B store’s contribution directly benefiting nearby students, campuses, and districts through their local CIS affiliates.

“H-E-B has been a long-time, generous corporate supporter of CIS of Houston,” said Lisa Descant, CEO of Communities In Schools of Houston. “We are grateful to H-E-B’s many customers throughout the Greater Houston Area who made point-of-sale donations during the five-week back-to-school campaign. The substantial funds raised have provided thousands of students with the supplies they needed for this school year.”

Descant added that CIS of Houston takes a holistic approach to supporting students and families on the campuses it serves. “Whether families need school supplies, academic support, mental health services, or community referrals, we are present on campuses to ensure students and parents receive the support they deserve to help them succeed in school.”

During the 2024–2025 school year, Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS) provided more than 349,000 hours of direct services to 118,479 students across six Houston-area independent school districts, three charter groups, and the Lone Star College network. Delivering academic support, mental health and human services, and supportive guidance, CIS helped 98% of case-managed students stay in school, 97% advance to the next grade, and 97% of eligible seniors graduate.

“Every day, many Texas students come to school without the supplies they need or their basic needs met,” said Elizabeth Johnston, Director of Network Development for Communities In Schools of Texas. “Partners like H-E-B and their customers are helping to remove those barriers. School supplies not only help students engage in learning but also boost confidence and a sense of belonging. The impact of this support is tremendous—it helps Texas students reach their full potential.”

During the 2023–2024 school year, Communities In Schools of Texas supported more than one million students across 1,360 campuses through programs and initiatives designed to promote academic success, attendance, and student engagement. With 27 local affiliates statewide, CIS provides a network of community support that helps students stay in school and succeed in life.