Educators get a Helping Hand with Supplies from Local ‘Teacher Closet’
In Bryan, Texas, as the new academic year approaches, local educators often find themselves reaching into their own pockets to ensure their classrooms have the necessary supplies. But help is at hand, with a new initiative called the ‘Teacher Closet’ which offers educators the opportunity to obtain necessary school materials free of charge.
Building Bridges between The Community and Teachers
Founder and CEO of All Heart Inc., Fabi Payton, spoke passionately about the motives behind the establishment of the ‘Teacher Closet’. “We created a system and a bridge where the community can donate needed items to teachers, and teachers can come and get everything they need. With state funding diminishing, we felt it necessary to offset the financial burdens teachers often face,” Payton said.
Recognising the tireless work that teachers do, All Heart Incorporated, a community-oriented nonprofit, initiated the ‘Teacher Closet’ project to alleviate the financial burden many teachers bear in purchasing supplies for their classrooms. Fabi Payton, herself a teacher, spearheaded the initiative, but credits Monica Martinez, a local resident, with the idea.
An Open Shopping Day for Educators
To help teachers prepare for the upcoming school year, ‘Teacher Closet’ is hosting an open shopping day this Saturday, August 3rd, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Morningstar Storage. Here, educators can restock their classrooms with necessary supplies, free of cost.
“I need you to bring all your teacher friends this Saturday and shop at the teacher closet,” said a buoyant Payton, inviting all area teachers to take advantage of this opportunity.
New beginnings at Bryan ISD
The last ‘Teacher Closet’ event at Morningstar Storage marks the beginning of a new chapter as Payton announced they are moving the ‘Teacher Closet’ to a space within Bryan Independent School District itself. “They’re hosting us so we can continue the initiative at no cost, barring insurance and similar concerns. More funds can now go directly to the teachers,” she expressed, delighted with the development.
Concluding her statement, she added, “I knew from the outset that we would need to think bigger, and I’m proud that everyone else can now see that too.”