In Wake County, the Tools4Schools free classroom supply store reopened on Tuesday, offering teachers items such as dry erase markers, boards, composition books, erasers, screen cleaners, and pencil boxes.
This resource, available exclusively to Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) teachers, is not new, but it is something that makes a huge impact every school year.
Ashley Holloman wouldn't trade her job teaching Kindergarten in Garner for anything.
But she says stocking up each year is getting a little pricier.
"You're definitely more careful about what you buy and picking your needs over your wants," Holloman says.
With her helpers in tow, she had her list of her biggest items at Tools 4 Schools, allowing teachers to stock up at the event from the WakeEd Partnership, which collects school supplies for teachers.
WakEd says the first year they began the program 3 years ago, teachers estimated they spent about $900 a year on supplies out of pocket. This year, it's $1,600.
"Why are we having to have GoFundMe pages for teachers and having to run supply drives for something as important as teachers it just shows our priorities are out of whack," says Keith Poston with the WakeEd Partnership.
Factor in tariffs and inflation, and it's even more of a challenge. While basics like pens, paper and pencils are impacted, the biggest culprit is electronics.
"We've still got this battle going on about chips. We still get a lot of our chips from China. And of course, we have heavy tariffs on China," explains Michael Walden from NC State.
It's why teachers will always be grateful for the love they get from the community.
"Be kind and help when you can, whether it's buying something like this, or donating your time, teachers love the support," Holloman says.
WakeEd is going to be having another shopping day for teachers at their Capital Boulevard office again on Thursday from 1 pm to 4 pm in Raleigh. They also welcome any donations from the public year-round.
What is Tools4Schools?
Tools4Schools free classroom supply store for Wake County Public School System teachers.
In the 2024-25 school year, Tools4Schools served over 5,000 teachers, with 94% reporting reduced out-of-pocket expenses, according to WakeEd Partnership.
Since its launch in 2022, Tools4Schools has distributed $1.6 million in new school supplies to Wake County teachers.
"We've served teachers from every single school in Wake County," Keith Poston, WakeEd Partnership president, said. "We are still in the middle of our supply drive. We accept donations year-round, both supplies and cash."
WakeEd Partnership's Tools4Schools campaign began on July 9 as part of an eight-week community-wide supply drive, running through August 22. To support or donate, visit here.
A recent study found that North Carolina teachers spend an average of over $1,600 annually on school supplies, surpassing the national average of $1,021 and ranking the state second in out-of-pocket spending.
Report reveals NC teachers rank 2nd nationwide for out-of-pocket spending on classroom supplies