A Gift for Teaching Helps Hundreds of Teachers Get Ready for Back-to-School

On Tuesday, August 5, the doors to our Free Teacher Supply Store reopened for the 2025-2026 school year, welcoming eligible Orange County public school teachers to shop for essential classroom supplies at no cost.

By the end of the first week, 567 teachers visited and $285,693 worth of free educational materials had been distributed — items that teachers would have otherwise had to purchase out of pocket.

Educators filled their carts with classroom basics like pencils, paper, and dry erase markers, helping ensure students are prepared to learn on day one. Universal Orlando volunteers were also present, helping to create a welcoming, supportive shopping experience for these local heroes.

“Teachers show up for their students every single day, often spending hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket to make sure no child goes without,” said Jane Thompson, President of A Gift for Teaching.

“The first day of shopping is always emotional. It’s a moment when our teachers feel seen, supported, and equipped to make a difference. And that’s only possible because of the generosity of this community.”

This year, families with children in grades K–12 can expect to spend an average of $858 for back-to-school, budgeting $143 for school supplies alone (National Retail Federation, 2025).

But for many families in Central Florida, where more than 70% of public schools are considered high-need, even the most basic supplies can be out of reach. Teachers are often left to cover this gap in supplies with their own resources to make sure everyone in their class has an equal start for the school year.

This is where A Gift for Teaching steps in, offering eligible public school teachers the ability to shop for free educational materials throughout the school year — at its physical store, online for pick-up, or through its mobile unit. On average, each teacher visit results in more than $450 worth of supplies heading straight into classrooms for students that need them most.

As a local nonprofit founded in 1998, A Gift for Teaching is powered by generous community support. When you become a Classroom Hero with a monthly gift, you’ll provide consistent support that teachers and students can count on all year long.

Hundreds of classrooms were helped on day one, but the Free Teacher Supply Store is open all school year! Your ongoing generosity helps restock the shelves for the year ahead to keep students in our community stay excited and prepared to learn.