Kalispell Company Steps Up to Help Teachers Buy Classroom Supplies
Plumb-Rite Plumbing's 'Clear the List' initiative offers $2,000 to help four teachers with back-to-school supply costs

By Staff Writer
Jun 24, 2025
KALISPELL — Plumb-Rite Plumbing is launching its first-ever “Clear the List” Back-to-School Sweepstakes to support local educators in the Flathead Valley. The initiative will award four teachers with $500 gift cards each to help offset the cost of classroom supplies they typically purchase with their own money.
Sweepstakes Details
The contest runs from July 7 through July 18, with winners announced on July 23. Teachers can nominate themselves or be nominated by others through an online entry form at plumbritemt.com/b2s. Participants must be 18 years or older with a valid Montana driver’s license and work as teachers in the Flathead Valley area.
“We know how much our local teachers give of themselves every year—not just in time and care, but often with their own money,” said Emily Larsen, Team Manager at Plumb-Rite Plumbing. “This is our way of giving back and making sure our local teachers feel supported by their community as they head into a new school year.”
The Teacher Spending Challenge
The sweepstakes addresses a widespread issue facing educators nationwide. Montana teachers earn an average salary of $58,600, ranking the state 34th highest among states, according to a comprehensive 2024 analysis by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry. Adding to these financial pressures, 26% of Montana’s full-time teachers work second jobs to supplement their income, the report shows.
Despite these financial constraints, 94% of public school teachers spend their own money on classroom supplies without reimbursement, according to data cited in Plumb-Rite Plumbing’s announcement. The average U.S. teacher spends $560 per year out of pocket on supplies, with some spending more than $1,000.
Community Engagement
The Kalispell-based plumbing company encourages community members to help spread awareness of the sweepstakes by sharing it on social media and tagging local teachers. Winners will be announced on the company’s Instagram account @plumbriteplumbingmt.
Plumb-Rite Plumbing has served the Flathead Valley since 2003 as a locally family-owned business. The company says the sweepstakes reflects its commitment to giving back to the community beyond its plumbing services.
The initiative addresses the annual challenge teachers face of purchasing supplies for their classrooms with limited budgets and personal funds.
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