The Teacher Store is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides free classroom supplies to area K-12 educators when funds are not available, bridging the resource gap between what schools and families can provide and what is needed by the children to be successful in their studies. Typical stocked items include pencils, pens, colored pencils, glue sticks, markers, dry-erase markers, rulers, paper, antibacterial wipes, facial tissues, paper towels, hand sanitizer, apparel (youth sizes), and calculators.In June 2018, the Teacher Store’s original home in downtown Cedar Rapids suffered structural damage, and the building owners decided not to make repairs. After considering several other possible locations, we decided to reinvent the store as a mobile unit, just in time for the 2018/19 school year.Now on wheels, the Teacher Store can bring supplies directly to your school. This new mobility also allows us to extend our reach to surrounding counties, making it easier for teachers in outlying areas to benefit from the free supplies.Atwww.teacherstore.org, you can easily request school visits and let us know what supplies are in high demand at your school. You'll also be able to stay up-to-date on other Teacher Store events.As always, our in-house currency (aka Teacher Bucks) is used to “buy” items at the store. (One Teacher Buck can purchase many dollars’ worth of supplies!) You can earn Teacher Bucks by opening an account, taking out a loan, or getting a credit card with Linn Area Credit Union. We’ll also be introducing a variety of fun, different ways to earn Teacher Bucks.The Teacher Store relies on donations from generous individuals and companies, as well as grant funding, to keep the wheels turning. We accept donations of new supplies, as well as monetary donations that allow us to purchase additional inventory. We will also accept donations of gently used large-ticket items, such as desk chairs.
