Free teacher supply store opens in Albany

ALBANY, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) – A teacher supply store has been created in the basement of the Westgate Shopping Center by Pastor Charlie Muller of Victory Church. The store-like layout allows teachers to pick out any items they may need for their students and classrooms for free for the upcoming school year.

Margaret Aiossa, a teacher at Myers Middle School in Albany and a mother of school aged children, is one of many taking advantage of the school supply store.

“This just makes it so much easier, because there are specific things I want them to have for my class, and now that takes the lift off of me and the families,” Aiossa said. “Because I can just come here and have it, and it will be ready when they get there.”

The store has everyday school things like pencils and folders but also sneakers, music and sports supplies. Pastor Charlie said he created the store for teachers like Aiossa, who often pay out of pocket for supplies and school necessities for students who are unable to get the items themselves.

“Some of the things I am able to get here at the store will last me the entire year, so it’s probably like $250 dollars that I would have been spending over the course of the year,” Aiossa said.

All of the supplies in the store are fully donated, and with the help of volunteers who shop for the items, the shelves get fully stocked with necessities as well as things students will want to have.

“We want to make sure we have all the relevant supplies and tools a child would need to pass the grade,” Pastor Charlie said.

The store has been going on for over a year and is open to teachers all over the Capital Region, making sure to sign their school’s name on a white board as a sign of thanks on their way out.

Teachers like Aiossa are not only picking up basics items at the teacher supply store, but also taking home things to help with classroom management.

“You would be surprised; they love these little pens,” Aiossa said. “You know, you can give these as rewards or even these little pins, things like this, kids really love them.”

Pastor Charlie said that he will be restocking supplies as they run out, and has several teachers coming in next week. Teachers can make appointments with Pastor Charlie to come to the store and get items they need for their classrooms and students.

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