A Gift for Teaching is a FREE store for eligible K-12 teachers to shop for supplies to be given to children in need in their classrooms.  Our mission is to ensure that children and classrooms in our community have the basic tools for learning that students need to succeed.  We do this by transferring, at no cost, the community’s surplus supplies and merchandise into the hands of teachers and school children in need.  The Osceola County AGFT store is a program offered through The Education Foundation of Osceola County, Inc. in partnership with A Gift For Teaching in Orlando. Together we are able to pool resources, share product, and reach more students in need as a result of this unique partnership.

 

Teachers:

Wouldn’t it be nice if everything were free?  A Gift For Teaching is just that – free!

Osceola County Teachers from eligible high-need schools can shop once a month at our free store.  We know buying school supplies can be a burden on teachers, and we aim to alleviate that.

Read our 2019/2020 Shopping Guidelines prior to shopping, and review the website for more information.

Who is eligible to shop? Full-time certified K-12 instructional personnel with their own classrooms from eligible schools in Osceola County may shop at A Gift For Teaching, including classroom/general education teachers, media specialists, guidance counselors, nurses, principals, assistant principals, and deans. At this time, custodians and administrative support staff such as administrative assistants, resource teachers, and paraprofessionals are not eligible to shop. A Gift For Teaching has a strict NO GUEST policy.  Please plan accordingly as any guests will be required to wait outside of the store.  If you should require assistance to shop, please speak with the staff at the check-in desk.

For AGFT holiday calendar, click here

Hours: 

Shopping Times(August-May):  

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 3:00  pm - 6:00 pm.   Check in closes promptly at 5:30 pm.

CLOSED JUNE & JULY

Make sure you bring your school ID badge and reusable shopping bags.

For additional information about shopping, email our Program Coordinator, Chris Santiago at christopher.santiago@osceolaschools.net, or call at 407-348-9204.

 

 

 

Just the FACTS:

• Low income families spend 40% of their monthly income in August on “back to school” costs alone.
• More than 85% of students cannot afford lunch, much less school supplies.
• More than 2,000 students in Osceola County are homeless.
• Some kids go to school without socks and shoes and do not own a toothbrush or even deodorant.
• Teachers spend an average of $1,000 out of their own pockets to help their students each year.
• Businesses search for positive outlets for usable, surplus products.

• Donate supplies including leftover or surplus merchandise, slightly damaged product, promotional items, office supplies, used books, new toys, and so much more. Click here for a list of products needed.

• Host a School Supply Drive at your place of work or affiliated organization by collecting the basic school supplies including pencils, paper, crayons, glue, pens and backpacks.

• Volunteer your time to help us inventory, sort, and stock donated product.  Volunteers are also needed to assist teachers during shopping hours. Email Chris Santiago at christopher.santiago@osceolaschools.net to set up a time to volunteer, or call 407-348-9204.

• Donate Financially Here