GENTRY, Ark. – All Gentry Primary School students will receive free school supplies this year, making it one of the first schools in Arkansas to make such a commitment.
Simmons Foods Inc. has partnered with Gentry Public Schools to support this initiative with a contribution of more than $5,000. The school serves approximately 400 students in kindergarten through second grade.
Having a longstanding heart for children, Simmons Foods has previously supported school supply drives. This year, instead of collecting notebooks, pencils, and other items individually, Simmons embraced the vision of Gentry Superintendent Dr. Tyler Broyles to make school supplies available –for free – to every student. During a special back-to-school event in August, students will get the chance to “shop” for their supplies in the school cafeteria, where volunteers from Simmons Foods and school staff will help them pick up everything they need.
“At Simmons, putting people first is at the heart of what we do, and that includes our youngest neighbors,” said Justin Reynolds, Senior Director of Operations at Simmons Foods. “We’re proud to support Gentry Schools and help make back-to-school a little easier for families and more exciting for students.”
By ordering supplies in bulk, the school can reduce costs while still providing high-quality brands – such as Crayola crayons, Elmer’s glue sticks, and Ticonderoga pencils –instead of lower-cost alternatives that may not perform as well. Purchasing in this way allows the school and its partners to provide all necessary supplies for approximately $30 per student.
In the past, it’s been difficult to identify which families need help with school supplies, and many parents are reluctant to disclose their financial situations. Additionally, nearly all Gentry parents—regardless of income—face the challenge of taking off work and traveling to other towns to purchase specific school items.
Broyles said the district is piloting the program at the primary school this year, with hopes of expanding free supplies to all Gentry students in the future. Any extra supplies purchased this year will be distributed to students in other district schools who need them.
“My vision is for Gentry to be a district of service to our families,” Broyles said. “We’re living that out by covering the cost of school supplies at Gentry Primary School this year with the hope of expanding to all our campuses in the 2026-27 school year. I firmly believe families shouldn’t have to buy basic supplies for their children to be successful at school.”
This year alone, the project will provide more than 12,000 pencils, 1,000 boxes of crayons, 2,800 glue sticks, 560 pocket folders, and various other items—including dry erase markers, notebooks, and even Play-Doh for creative kindergarteners. Students will provide their own backpacks, although extras are available if a family needs one.
“This is tremendously exciting for our students and families—to have the burden of school shopping lifted and to know they’re receiving the best supplies to start the year off right,” said Andrea Folger, Gentry Primary School Principal. “As someone who grew up in this community, I’m so thankful for partners like Simmons who step up and support our children. It puts our students in the best possible position to succeed.”
Arvest Bank is also supporting the event by providing free hamburgers and hot dogs, making the celebration even more festive. Folger added, “We’re excited to welcome our new and returning students. This event will show, without a doubt, how much their community loves and supports them.”
Gentry Public Schools will be releasing the full district supply lists for all schools this week.
-30-
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Mark Scott, Director of Community Engagement, Gentry Public Schools
mscott@gentrypioneers.com; 479-264-0103
Mitchell Baker, Communications Manager, Simmons Foods