Four Peaks Brewing Co.’s highly anticipated “Four Peaks 4 Teachers” classroom supply fundraiser is kicking off its eighth year of providing school supplies to thousands of Arizona teachers in partnership with Treasures 4 Teachers. With help from partner organizations and through its own fundraising efforts, Four Peaks will purchase enough items to fill 4,500 supply kits for teachers in Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff. All teachers are invited to pick up vouchers June 19 through July 13, and will be able to redeem them for supply kits anytime between July 23 and July 27.

Four Peaks co-founder Jim Scussel created the Four Peaks 4 Teachers initiative in 2010 after he learned from customers at Four Peaks that teachers regularly run out of basic classroom supplies, and often have to purchase supplies out of their own pockets. In an effort to help, Four Peaks rallied customers, staff and family to donate supplies for teachers to pick up at the brewery. What started from humble beginnings has since become an expansive statewide effort that has proven to be incredibly beneficial and rewarding to both the local teaching community and the brewery. Each year, the program attracts more participants to join the cause. This year the program will have supply kit pickup locations across Arizona.

“We’re so grateful to see how much the ‘Four Peaks 4 Teachers’ program has expanded over the past seven years, and we’re excited to continue that growth in our eighth year,” said Four Peaks co-founder Jim Scussel. “Four Peaks was founded on bringing people together, and we see Four Peaks 4 Teachers as an extension of that idea. With the help of Treasures for Teachers, our retail partners, and all of our fans dedicated to providing our teachers with much-needed support, we hope to make the program more successful than ever.”

Fundraising for Four Peaks 4 Teachers will begin June 11 and will include direct donations from brewery partners and a portion of proceeds from beer sales at Four Peaks pubs and participating retailers. Additionally, Four Peaks will sell $5 raffle tickets inside its pubs and at fourpeaks.com, with prizes including a Phat Scooter, brewery neons, golf packages, brewery gift cards and more. Proceeds from raffle ticket sales will also be donated directly to Treasures 4 Teachers.

“I probably spend between $200 and $300 a year on classroom supplies and other things my students might need,” said Veronica Marquez, a special education teacher at Desert Vista High School in Ahwatukee, Ariz. “Four Peaks for Teachers is a huge help in cutting down some of that cost. Plus the materials it provides, especially in the summertime, give us a head start for the school year.”

As part of the program, Four Peaks will distribute 4,500 school supply kits at locations across the state. The distribution of the kits will be determined by the number of vouchers given out at each location; vouchers will have the date, time and location of the supply kit pickup. Teachers can pick up their vouchers for free June 19 through July 13 at the following locations:

  • Tucson: Monsoons Tap & Grill; Stillhouse Grill & Bar
  • Tempe: Four Peaks 8th Street Brewery
  • Scottsdale: Four Peaks Grill & Tap
  • Flagstaff: Majestic Marketplace
  • Goodyear: Goodyear Recreation Center (Tuesdays only)

Teachers will be able to redeem their vouchers and pick up their school supply kits on/at:

  • Monday, July 23
    • West Valley: Goodyear Ballpark, 4-8 p.m.
    • Tucson: Monsoons Tap & Grill; Stillhouse Grill & Bar, 4-8 p.m.
  • Tuesday, July 24
    • Tempe: Treasures for Teachers Tempe, 4-7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 25
    • Tempe: Four Peaks 8th Street Brewery, 4-8 p.m.
    • Scottsdale: Four Peaks Grill & Tap, 4-8 p.m.
  • Thursday, July 26
    • Scottsdale: Treasures for Teachers Tempe, 4-7 p.m.
    • Flagstaff: Majestic Marketplace, 4-7 p.m.
  • Friday, July 27
    • Tempe: Four Peaks 8th Street Brewery, 2-6 p.m.
    • Scottsdale: Four Peaks Grill & Tap, 2-6 p.m.

Teachers who are unable to collect their boxes at the times listed on their vouchers may do so at a special Teachers Happy Hour on July 27 at Four Peaks 8th Street Brewery from 2-6 p.m.

“I tell all my teacher friends to participate,” said Marquez. “This is free, and it helps so much.”