‘We love our teachers’: Non-profit providing school supplies for educators free of charge

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — School supplies play a vital role in running a classroom with many teachers fronting the cost from their own wallet, but those materials can get costly, which is why Free 2 Teach has helped provide millions of dollars in supplies to educators across Madison County for over a decade.

Organizers know how essential a well-equipped classroom is for children, which is why the non-profit has been opening its doors to public school teachers for the last 13 years and counting.

“We invest directly in the teacher so they can get the supplies and resources their children need in the classrooms,” said Executive Director Alison Kling. “We want to make sure they’re equipped for whatever comes their way throughout the school year.”

Kling explained how the organization will serve 1,000 teachers with supplies in July alone and will host 4,000 shops throughout the upcoming school year.

As a former educator, Kling knows how expensive those materials can be for teachers to run a successful classroom.

“I don’t think people always realize how much teachers spend out of pocket,” Kling said. “National surveys suggest teachers spend between $750 to $1500 per year, we want to make sure we protect our teachers against having to spend that out of their paycheck.”

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From generous donors to support from the community, it’s how Free 2 Teach has been able to provide teachers throughout the three school districts in Madison County with the tools they need. “It’s very emotional to watch teachers experience our store, especially for the first time,” Kling explained.

Kling says their love for educators has fueled this nearly two-decade operation for the benefit of children.

“The level of connection that a teacher has with a child in their classroom is very powerful and we love to nurture that, to empower them and to inspire them as they turn day in and day out and sometimes spend all day with our kids, with our future leaders,” Kling told News 19.

Free 2 Teach will officially open its doors to teachers for the 2024-2025 school year on Monday. If you or someone you know is a teacher in Madison County, you can schedule a shopping visit here .

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