I have been volunteering with this nonprofit since it opened in 2012. I has a great mission that addresses two community needs at once: providing supplies to 14 school districts and keeping items out of the landfill. A store is stocked with new and gently used items that have been donated by companies and individuals. Teachers are invited to shop for free once a month. Both the donors and the teachers are most grateful for the service.
This is an expertly run free-store that helps teachers stretch their budgets as they shop in a beautifully arranged setting for new and gently used supplies, donated by corporations and individuals. The only difference there is from a regular store is that each teacher may choose 15 FREE items per monthly visit, that range from pencils and paper to file cabinets and desks. The smiles on the faces of both the teachers and the volunteers who work hard to fill shelves and keep the store looking attractive are contagious. It is a happy, safe place with all Covid-19 precautions in place.
It’s such a pleasure to volunteer with Companies to Classrooms — and it’s FUN!! The stories we hear from teachers—cuts to their classroom budgets, students who don’t have the supplies they need (pencils, spiral notebooks, crayons, etc) — and the joy they feel when they leave our doors with those much-needed supplies for FREE.
We also have a wide variety of educational posters for classrooms, some file cabinets, bookcases, chairs, etc which are so helpful to our newly hired teachers.
Helping where help is needed by teachers and students...that’s what Companies to Classrooms does.
As a retired teacher and school librarian, volunteering at Companies to Classrooms was the perfect way to serve our community. The leaders are very considerate of our time and skills, are very organized, and make working enjoyable. It's always a pleasure to help teachers however we can, especially the new teachers who need everything for their classrooms.
More businesses, agencies and citizens are supporting our mission by donating new and used supplies, equipment, furniture, etc. Teachers from Duluth and the surrounding towns appreciate the after school and Saturday store hours, to come and select items for their students. Join our team to serve our hard-working teachers, once a month or more!
The staff at Companies To Classrooms in Duluth is always helpful, and friendly. They make suggestions, and find things that I need. The store is well organized, and there is lots to choose from. Saved me money! This store a great resource for a teacher starting a new grade level!
Companies to Classrooms Duluth is a non-profit free store for teachers. Local businesses and individuals donate school supplies, furniture, money, etc. and teachers in 14 districts can shop once a month for free.
I shopped at Companies to Classrooms Duluth as a teacher and appreciated getting school supplies free for my students. It really helped stretch my limited classroom budget and gave my students the opportunity to explore more than just the basics in school. Since retiring almost four years ago, I started volunteering with C2C, eventually became a board member, and am now the volunteer store manager. I love how all donations from companies and individuals go directly from our store to teachers and their students, and at the same time, stay out of the landfills. A true win-win-win!