JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The cost of operating a local classroom is not cheap. Many local teachers are reaching into their pockets to make sure their students have the supplies they need.
Hundreds of teachers lined up to shop at the 19th annual teacher supply depot for free school supplies, ranging from flashlights to books to shelving units.
Doris Ricketts is going into her seventh year teaching and said the free supplies make a big difference in her classroom.
"I have students that say, 'I couldn't do my homework because I didn't have a book.' Well borrow some of my books and here you can get lots of free books for those kids who don't have that at home," said Ricketts.
While some shop for large shelving units, art teacher Richard Hughes looked for art supplies.
"Lots of different paints, temper paints, brushes mostly -- paints are the most expensive and glitter stuff like that," said Hughes.
As more than 700 teachers pick through materials, teacher supply depot organizer Chris Buckley said everyone walks away with something.
"It depends on what the teachers want and what they're looking for. They can easily come away from each giveaway with several hundred dollars," said Buckley.
Every year, an average of $4 million worth of items are donated to the school system by businesses and corporations to help teachers. The center holds giveaways every month, however, the week before school starts is the largest event of the year as teachers are preparing to decorate and stock their classrooms for the new school year. The supplies have a direct impact on Duval County students.
"So we can make projects they like to get their hands into doing stuff and getting all this free stuff here helps them do that," said Ricketts.
Teachers will spend next week decorating their classrooms before students return to school.
WJAX
