A Gift For Teaching

How would I not give this place 5 stars! This is a free store for teacher who work with low income families. I am a teacher at Head Start, and I get to visit this place once a month. I get so many supplies that I need. Paper, journals, folder, pencils, clothing for the kids, treasure box toys, etc. The list could be five miles long. Last time that I went the cash value of all the goods that I got for FREE was $ 475! I am able to do so much more with my students because I don’t have to ration out materials like glue anymore. We could not appreciate them more!

I am a teacher for Orange County Public Schools, and LOVE A Gift For Teaching (AGFT)! This past year I have been located at a high school where about 80% of the students are on free and reduced lunch, and A Gift For Teaching has allowed me to get supplies for my students without having to spend too much of my own money!
Since I work at such an impoverished school, all teachers at my school are able to shop at AGFT once a month. However, Higher income schools can only send one assigned representative (for the whole school) per month, where as other schools that are declared Title I, may have additional shopping privileges. If you are a teacher and need to find out if you’re able to shop at AGFT you will need to contact them directly or see if your school is listed on their website.
Exactly what do you find at AGFT, and how does it work? Each teacher is given a checklist as they register at the front desk they shop around the store and tick off the items they place in their cart. Teachers are only allowed to get a certain amount of each item as quantities are limited. For example each time I have gone to AGFT I am allowed to get approximately 4 Glue Sticks, and 2 bundles of pencils (each bundle contains 12), and two packs of filler paper etc. As for what type of things the store carries? Mostly school and art supplies donated by local businesses. Also, discarded office equipment, surplus, or antiquated office materials donated by local companies (I once brought home a huge pile of Dot Matrix printer paper). Other random things they carry are flashcards, and paper products (i.e. journals, cut outs, paper letters) made by local inmates in the prison system. They also carry donated books, and donated merchandise and promotional items from local businesses including Sea World and The Orlando Magic. Aside from the usual supplies and fun incentives for kids they also have items like clothes, under wear, socks, and snacks. Believe it or not there are families out there that cannot afford to buy ANY of these basics for their kids :(
If you are a local business… no matter how small think twice before discarding anything! teachers can put any of your old supplies to good use in the classroom (i.e. old letter head/​labels, old bags, envelopes etc.)! And if you’re a local business looking to give aways some money… think about AGFT!!! And if you’re a regular Joe consider volunteering or donating your used books!

A gift for teaching is an AMAZING non-​profit. They are helping the kids who need it the most and every time I walk out the door after a volunteer shift, I really know that I am making a difference!
As a volunteer, I always have an amazing time. I have met some of the most wonderful people who work there and those who also help volunteer. We have an amazing time stocking the free store, cleaning up, and helping out the teachers who get to shop. It is totally easy to sign up. All you have to do is fill out the volunteer application online and they call you to set up times to volunteer.
Organizations come through all the time as well… Disney, Sea World, and Universal are always there helping out.
I look forward to my next volunteer shift!!!

A Gift for teaching is also a wonderful organization if you’re looking for volunteer opportunities. They need volunteers Tuesdays through Saturdays in the mornings or afternoons, and volunteers can be as young as twelve, which is great.
The service they provide to the Central Florida community is vital in the face of budget cuts, and the staff and volunteers are awesome stewards of the donated supplies, making sure every bit gets in the hands of the teachers and students in need.
Check them out at

A Gift for Teaching is a non-​profit, retail store for teachers in Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties. If you teach at a school that has more than 60% of it’s students receiving free or reduced lunch, you are eligible to «shop» for free at AGFT. If your school doesn’t fall within those guidelines, you can still volunteer three hours a month to receive a free shopping trip.
When I first started teaching, I thought this was simply too good to be true. If you work at a Title I (low-​income) school, you know that it can be trying and frustrating when your students are unable to bring in simple school supplies. Well, a Gift for Teaching strives to alleviate some of this stress. Depending on your school’s status (you can give them a call and check) you may be eligible to shop up to twice a month.
When you go in, they give you clipboard with a list of what you are allowed to «purchase.» It includes 30 line-​items ranging from pencils to hardcover books. All of the items are donated from local businesses (anyone from Sea World to Marriott Hotels), so the actual items there vary depending on when you visit. The cool thing is that you are allowed to pick a few of each item and that only counts as one «line item» on the clipboard list. For example, you can get 10 erasers… and that would only count as one of your 30 items. Fabulous, eh?
AGFT usually has clothing, socks and underwear if you have students that are needing these items also. It is sad to think that some of our students need these things… but the reality is that they DO and we are hard-​pressed to find the money to buy them out of our pockets!
The best part of this whole experience is that it is competely FREE. All that the staff at AGFT ask is that you have your students make thank you cards or write a letter to the vendors. They give you a list of their names and addresses when you check out.
AGFT is a charitable and amazing program and I encourage you to visit if you are a teacher. If you’re not, and you work for a local business that might be able to help this great program out — please give them a call!