Huntsville, Ala, December 2022 – Free 2 Teach announced today that they have given away $10 million in supplies since opening the nonprofit in 2011. This milestone is made possible through generous donations, thousands of volunteer hours and years of dedication from the entire community to support teachers. The supplies and resources given away have improved the educational trajectories of thousands of Madison County students and ensured that teachers do not have to spend out of pocket for basic supplies and more.
“We are so thankful for this community and so proud of this milestone,” shares Free 2 Teach Executive Director Alison Kling. “Every pencil, every box of crayons, every new teacher desk or chair, every book – the list goes on! – has made an impact. This is $10 million dollars that our teachers did not have to pay out of pocket and that families in our community did not have to worry about spending.”
The $10,000,000 in supplies includes items like crayons, paper, science materials, art resources and more. Many of the supplies are donated. New items that students used are purchased with help from corporate and individual donors, then organized by a team of volunteers. Teachers can choose items as they shop and leave the store with an average of $525 in their carts. Some of these items will make a difference for students for years to come, like specialty TI-83 calculators like those Ms. Cunningham was able to find for her math students at Morris Middle School.
“When I saw these calculators during my shop, I knew they would be the perfect incentive for our students as they progress in their math skills,” says Ms. Cunningham. “This is a low income, first generation neighborhood, where some of our families may not be able to afford these calculators. My students will need these next year in high school and all through college. These are new from Free 2 Teach, some of the latest versions out there, and I would not have been able to do this for my students without their support.”
Teachers in Madison County’s three public school systems can schedule their shop by visiting www.free-2-teach.org/teacher. To donate to Free 2 Teach visit www.free-2-teach.org/donate.