About Us

THE NEED:

  • Over half of the children in Marion County cannot afford lunch, much less school supplies.
  • Teachers on average spend $500 – $1000 per year of their own funds to buy supplies for their classroom and students.
  • Today’s economy is causing parent, teacher and school budgets to be reduced.

OUR SOLUTION:
Teachers’ Treasures bridges the gap between the great need and available resources. Many businesses and individuals have a surplus of product/materials and are in need of a positive outlet to dispose of these items. We provide a unique means to transfer these donated materials to teachers for use in their classrooms. Since being established in 2000, Teachers’ Treasures has distributed over $27 million worth of free school supplies.

THE BASICS:

  • We operate a retail-like free supply store for teachers, open year-round, with more than 300 items a teacher can use to help capture a child’s interest, creativity and commitment to learning.
  • Teachers from any school (public, private, charter or parochial) in Marion County and the immediately surrounding school districts with 40% or more of the student population on the free or reduced lunch program are eligible.
  • More than 250 schools with a total of over 100,000 students are eligible.
  • Nearly 1,700 teachers participate in the program annually.

HOW IT WORKS:

  • Eligible teachers pay an annual supply fee of $35 and then “shop free” once per month. No dollar value limit is put on their selection.
  • We offer everything from basic school supplies like paper, pencils, erasers and crayons to art and craft supplies, books, file cabinets and desk chairs. Items in stock vary depending on donations.
  • Some of the products we distribute come from companies or organizations moving, re-branding, housecleaning or downsizing; other products come to us through the Kids In Need Foundation.

    • Teachers’ Treasure is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Our Sponsors