How teachers and students can get some free supplies for school
Reading time: 3 minutes
The new school year is quickly approaching, and both teachers and students alike are gearing up to get the proper supplies, plans and accessories.
In these times, that can be a tall order. Luckily, we have a couple of resources to tell you about that can help both educators and students alike as they embark on the 2025-26 school year.
Free 2 Teach helps local teachers with classroom needs
Free 2 Teach provides free resources to teachers in Madison and Limestone counties. Located at 3054 Leeman Ferry Rd SW Suite F, Huntsville, AL 35801, the 10,000-square-foot warehouse is packed with envelopes, binders, pens and more.
Here’s how it works:
- Register as a teacher through the online teacher portal.
- Download the shopping app.
- Schedule your monthly shopping appointment.
- When you arrive, you take a shopping cart through the facility and select your desired items.
- You have a budget of $750 and a list of items to choose from with item limits.
“Free2teach was worth the trip. They are very organized and friendly! You are limited to number of items in different sections throughout the store. I was excited to secure $350 of extra supplies for my kindergarten classroom such as crayons, markers, notebooks, sharpies, and pens for beginning of year. I loved the incentives section for student rewards/gifts.”
Lori Hobbs, Kindergarten teacher at Julian Newman Elementary in Limestone County
The free store is open 11 months of the year and public school teachers in Limestone and Madison Counties can shop for free every month. In the organization’s history, they have given away over $14.7 million in supplies through their model of empowering teachers and school staff year-round to reach their students.
Students need supplies too – here’s how Huntsville is helping
The City of Huntsville’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and Community Awareness for Youth are making sure students start the year off right with its annual Back to School Backpack and School Supply Giveaway.
This event takes place July 12 at Calhoun Community College’s Huntsville-Research Park campus from 9AM-12PM.
Students ages 12-18 can grab a free backpack and school supplies while they last, thanks to generous donations collected during recent Stuff the Bus drives.
In addition to the giveaway, the event will feature:
- Toni Terrell of “Toni in the Morning” as emcee
- DJ Prime Time 256 of WHRP
- Performances by the Huntsville Community Drumline
- Lee High School’s N’General band ensemble
- Alexander Martial Arts
- Appearances by other special guests.
“This event is about more than backpacks. It’s about showing our students they’re supported by an entire community that believes in their potential.”
Dr. Randy Barbour, Multicultural Affairs Director for the City of Huntsville
- Where: 102 Wynn Drive NW
- When: Saturday, July 12, 9AM-12PM
- Details
No registration is required. Bring your student and get ready for a morning of fun, learning and school-year prep. Supplies are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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