As summer winds down and back-to-school excitement begins to build, so does the long list of supplies educators need to get ready for another successful year.

This list transforms a classroom of empty desks into an engaging learning space. Orange County Public School instructional teachers typically receive a $300 spending allocation each academic year. The purpose is to help cover the cost of classroom supplies and educational materials to support student learning.

But when a teacher’s back-to-school list includes everything from pencils and paper to cleaning supplies, and sometimes even snacks for students — the total quickly surpasses a budget meant to last the entire year. 

So, how do teachers fill the gap? 

Many Orange County public school teachers focus their allotted funds on subject-specific materials and specialized teaching tools. For everything else, and often much more, these educators then gratefully turn to A Gift for Teaching. 

A Gift for Teaching helps provide essential classroom supplies like pencils and paper, which saves me from having to purchase these items with my own money or from my limited spending card allocation. 

In addition to the basic supplies, I appreciate the extras [provided], such as Lysol wipes and items from the teacher section, which are always needed but not always budgeted for.

– Nisha, 3rd Grade Teacher 

Eligible public school teachers have free monthly access to A Gift for Teaching to stock their classrooms for back-to-school and beyond.  This includes the opportunity to shop a wide selection of free educational resources in-store, online for curbside pick-up, or on a mobile store unit that brings supplies directly to schools furthest from the store.

Your support makes this all possible.

You help provide the school supplies, classroom décor, and creative project materials our teachers use to build a welcoming space. A place where every child feels excited and prepared to learn from day one. 

[Having supplies on the first day] makes students feel good, like they are just like all the other students. It gives them confidence. 

I remember one student who I gave a backpack to, he said it was the first time he had ever had a new one. He usually got a hand me down.

– Nick, 2nd Grade Teacher 

It’s not just about a backpack. It’s about ensuring all students feel valued and included in the classroom community. It’s about supporting local teachers as they create inviting, effective environments that foster student success. 

When you give to A Gift for Teaching, you help educators like Nisha and Nick — and thousands more — stretch a limited $300 budget into limitless possibilities. 

Every $1 received can be transformed into $10 worth of supplies for teachers and their students who need them most. Want to make an impact all year long? Help fill the gap by becoming a Classroom Hero. As a dedicated monthly donor, an auto-recurring $25 gift can provide three local classrooms with the supplies they need all year.

Together, we can fill more empty desks with the essential supplies students need beyond the first day of school.