FORSYTH, Ill. (WCIA) — Although July might seem early to focus on school supplies, for many Macon County educators, preparing for the upcoming school year is a top priority.
Based in Forsyth, the non-profit organization Sunshine School Supplies For Teachers is expanding its efforts to equip students with necessary materials.
“We’ve seen a notable increase, particularly in the number of teachers we’re supporting,” stated Crystal Hoadley, who serves as the executive director of Sunshine School Supplies.
At their inception in 2024, the organization was assisting around 200 teachers.
“Currently, we are at 525 teachers and counting,” Hoadley said.
She said that they’re a one-stop-shop for teachers to come and get everything they need for the classroom. From pens, to books, to the toys teachers put in their treasure boxes, the store has a little bit of everything.
“The student needs have grown considerably in the last couple of years to where our schools cannot provide everything that a child would need. Our teachers are trying to fill in those gaps,” Hoadley said.
Teachers in Macon, Piatt and now Moultrie and Dewitt Counties pay a one time fee of $50 at the beginning of each school year. They even have 50 spots open for teachers outside of those four counties to sign up for a membership. However, the sign-up fee is the the last time they pay for anything.
Once a month, teachers can come in, get a cart, get a clipboard, and a pencil and let the shopping begin.
It’s more than just a shopping experience. Teachers are also finding community and support from the people greeting them at the aisles.
“Most of the people that we have here volunteering are either current or retired teachers,” Hoadley shared.
This includes Wendy Jalley, the store’s Board President. However, she has also been a kindergarten teacher for almost twenty years.
“As many people know, teachers spend hundreds of dollars out of their pocket each year,” Jalley said.
But it’s deeper than just saving money.
“We have had a teacher in here with a nonverbal student. One week, she picked up a squishmallow and that squishmallow helped her student, being able to hold that and kind of calm [the student’s] anxiety, helped her to open up and actually talk for the first time,” Jalley shared.
One visit to the store at a time, they’re helping teachers stretch their budgets and giving students the tools they need to succeed.
Click here to learn more about how to donate or volunteer, to find upcoming supply drives, and learn how to sign up as a teacher.