Teachers can check some items off their back-to-school shopping list by visiting Surplus Exchange and picking up free supplies for their classrooms.
They will find a range of donated items from slightly used binders and binder clips to new folders, staples and packages of paper.
“It’s a smorgasbord,” said Ben Martin, operations manager for Surplus Exchange.
Teachers also receive a 25-percent discount on electronics and office furniture. Surplus Exchange primarily collects and recycles used electronic equipment like computers, laptops, printers and notebooks, as well as office furniture like desks, chairs, file cabinets and conference tables.
“From talking to teachers, we found out that they are being counted on to bring the supplies to the table on their own, and they’re expected to pay out of pocket,” he said.
Initially, the event was started to get more school supplies out the door, Martin said, but it was continued to help the teachers. While teachers can receive these deals all year-round, Surplus Exchange has been working to increase donations of school supplies before the beginning of the school year.
Surplus Exchange is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays at 518 Santa Fe St., Kansas City, MO. Teachers need to bring a valid school ID to receive free supplies and the 25-percent discount.