Why A Teacher Supply Depot?

       Teachers traditionally invest as much as $500 to $700 of their personal funds each school year for their classroom.  It can be a frustrating experience for both students and teachers.  Often the basic tools for learning are lacking — pens, pencils, paper, art materials, containers, binders, children’s books, staples and more. 

       The Teacher Supply Depot is designed to reduce those out-of-pocket expenses.  The depot collects,  consolidates, and organizes donated supplies so that teachers can take what they need free of charge.

       Openings to teachers are held at least 4 times during the school year on a Saturday.  Teachers line up early, sign in, take a number and wait for their number to be called to go through the organized areas. 

       After a teacher’s number is called they are given a 5 gallon bucket to gather their supplies...and they can fill their bucket to its maximum.  They may also find desk accessories, binders, hanging file folders, electronic equipment, games, baskets, containers, and books of all kinds.  Occasionally they may even find a chair, desk, shelving unit, some carpet samples, or even a filing cabinets.  

       In November 2001, the Knox County School System hired Cindy Britton, Co-founder and PTA volunteer, to see to the day-to-day organizing of donations.  She is responsible for sorting, bagging, and organizing all donations in preparations for Teacher Opening Days.    

       Donations from individuals and businesses, as well as grant funds, keep the depot doors open.  Our teachers have truly benefited from our many donors.

       In October 2010, the depot began a move to a new location...the second floor of the former Cedar Bluff Intermediate School.  Our Knox County Teachers and their Assistants will be gathering those free supplies at our new location in January 2010 marking 10 years of service!  The new location will bring some changes but the purpose remains the same...getting free supplies into the hands of our teachers and their students!

       Lucy Spurgeon, Co-Founder, got the attention of school board members and school superintendent, Dr. Charles Lindsey, in the spring of 1999 when she pitched the depot idea at a school board meeting.  More than a year’s worth of work days later, the depot opened to teachers in January 2001 at the former Oakwood Elementary School. 

THE DEPOT SERVES KNOX COUNTY’S PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND TEACHERS’ ASSISTANTS ONLY!

A service for our Knox County, Tennessee teachers and their assistants!

New supplies are always needed!  An average of 700 teachers visit the depot each school year.

How can you get involved in this project?  There are many ways!