BREVARD COUNTY — A new store is helping Brevard County teachers get much needed school supplies without it costing them a dime, which many of them are used to doing.
Dozens of teachers have already taken advantage of the program just days before school starts on the Space Coast.
Susan Brower works for Brevard Schools as a bookkeeper, but was an elementary school counselor for nearly 30 years, and she spent a fair share of her own money to help her students learn.
“Many, many years I put out money out of my pocket for games and puzzles. People aren’t aware teachers put in long hours and put a lot of out of their own pocket, schools just don’t have the budget,” says Brower.
That’s where the Supply Zone for Teachers comes in.
The Brevard Schools Foundation just opened the store at the Clearlake Education Center this week, and already more than 60 teachers have gathered up free school supplies.
“We’ve been talking to local teachers who say on average they are spending between $400 and $600 of their own money each year on supplies; and that’s just the average. Some teachers are shelling out $2,000 to $3,000,” says store manager Elizabeth Schreiber.
Right now the store is stocked enough for nearly 900 teachers.
But more will benefit as donations come in to help students in need get pens, notebooks and more.
Susan Brower is here today to shop for a teacher committed to an upcoming meeting.
“I’ve come to help out,” says Brower.
Friday afternoon the school supply store received a $12,000 donation from Boeing Corporation.
Source: baynews9.com