Schoolhouse Supplies makes the ReadySetMom honor roll!

If you haven't already met, I'd like to introduce you to Pencil Pete. He is the mascot for Schoolhouse Supplies, the non-profit organization that has provided Portland Public School kids with 1,359,000  pencils since it opened seven years ago. Think about that number. That's huge!

Now get this: Schoolhouse Supplies runs as a free store for teachers. All the supplies are donated by businesses in our community, individuals or paid for by donations. Portland is the only city in Oregon that boasts of a program like this.

Heather and I had the good fortune to tour the Schoolhouse Supplies store the other day. The program works on so many levels:

• Children -- who may not otherwise be able to afford the basic tools necessary for learning (pencils, notebooks, erasers, gluesticks, etc.) -- receive them free via Schoolhouse Supplies donations. Did you know parents spend from $50-75/year/child on back-to-school supplies?
• Teachers -- Did you know that teachers spend on average $600-1,000 out of pocket to buy supplies for their classroom? As we all know, teachers don't make near enough money. Schoolhouse Supplies helps offset that annual expense by letting teachers shop for free from their shelves.
• Environment -- More than 75% of the supplies in the store are diverted from the waste stream. (Powells alone donates 5,000-6,000 surplus books a month to this program, which otherwise would have been recycled.)
• Businesses help the schools in our communities (and the environment) by making tax-deductible donations of surplus supplies. Think of the corporate waste when a company changes its logo and replaces all of its collateral! Schoolhouse Supplies can use those old notepads, envelopes, letterheads, etc.

The program's big supply drive is in the summer: August 1 to Labor Day. You will see drop-off bins for Schoolhouse Supplies at Fred Meyer stores throughout town. This program provides an amazing service. We'll be sure to remind you of their good deeds before the summer supply drive kicks off, but in the meantime, think about the companies you know of who might be able to partner and help. Here's the list of companies who donate to Schoolhouse Supplies.

Donations (of goods and money) are accepted in any amount, and every little bit helps! Here also is a list of the most needed basics supplies: #2 pencils, pens, crayons, colored markers, colored pencils, pocket folders, loose leaf paper, glue sticks, glue bottles, erasers, rulers, spiral notebooks and scissors.   

One last thing -- this program was started by a mom. Go figure. Moms have the power to change the world for the better!!

Comments

[Gina]

I've always heard about this organization but was never really sure what they did and who benefitted. Thanks for all the info. I know that a lot of families can't afford basic supplies for their kids, and I'm amazed at how much teachers wills spend to buy the supplies. What a great organization!

[betty]

Schoolhouse Supplies is a great project! I first heard about it last year. Also, www.handsonportland.org often coordinates community service events where volunteers can sign up to help sort through donated books to provide for Schoolhouse Supplies. I know people who have done this, and they said it was lots of fun. Plus, any books that are not deemed useable in the schools can be taken home by the volunteers!