HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Free 2 Teach will open its doors to local public school teachers on Monday, July 10th for the 2023-2024 school year. There are 96 teachers registered to shop on Monday alone. The organization gave away over $1.6 million in school supplies last year to teachers and their students across Madison County’s three public school systems. In their 12-year history, Free 2 Teach has given away over $12 million in supplies.
“We love serving teachers and kids in our community,” says Alison Kling, Executive Director of Free 2 Teach. “It is such a joy to see teachers shop with us and gather supplies and materials all year long to enrich instruction and support their students.”
Lee High School Creative and Performing Arts Teacher Nicole Fields believes Free 2 Teach is such a beneficial resource. "Free 2 Teach is so awesome because it allow us to get some of the supplies that we normally would have to spend our money on." Many teachers can agree that they have been there and done that. "It allows us to get some things like paint buckets, you know, to collect bottle tops or stickers that we can give the kids when they do great work, you know?"
Journey Middle School Art Teacher Judy Bagwell loves coming to Free 2 Teach because she has the opportunity to get things for her classroom that are not traditional supplies,"...supplies that I can't traditionally put on a purchase order. so i go to like the science area and get disposable aprons and things like that."
Free 2 Teach Executive Director Alison Kling said their ultimate goal is to get these supplies into the hands of the kids who need them, "...and the teachers know how to do that. they know what their classrooms need and they know what their kids need." Free 2 Teach is all about supporting the surrounding schools and individuals in them, and the one way they continue to do that is, "... that comes through supplies," Kling continued.
For area teachers, the store is vital to their instruction, allowing them to complete projects and support students. “I am so thankful for Free 2 Teach,” shares Mrs. Miles, a math teacher at Buckhorn High School. “Our school is just under 30% free and reduced lunch and that is spread out. When you’ve got that many students you want to make sure to get them what they need so they can grow and learn, without the pressure of worrying if their families can afford the supplies.”
The free store is open 11 months of the year and teachers can come every month. Donors from across the community generously support the mission of Free 2 Teach to ensure every child, regardless of economic background, has the tools they need to succeed. Volunteers give their time and energy to ensure that donations are sorted and organized and ready for teacher shoppers.
Teachers in Madison County’s three public school systems can schedule their shop by visiting www.free2teach.org/teacher. To donate to Free 2 Teach visit www.free2teach.org/donate.