Teaching Tools Serving Schools & District

More than 95,000 (48%) students in Hillsborough County cannot afford lunch daily, much less school supplies and other tools necessary for learning. As a result, teachers spend an average of $1,000 out-of-pocket each year to help provide for their classroom and students.

Our teachers face the challenge of not having all the tools necessary in the classroom while our students face not having the basic supplies for learning. Together, teacher and student can make great strides for a child’s education and future, but not without the proper tools. Teaching Tools mission is to provide basic supplies for free to teachers and students in need so that teachers can be as effective as possible and students have the opportunity to excel in their education.

Hillsborough County school district does a tremendous job providing for and working with our teachers and students, but there is still a need for more supplies. As a conduit to fill the gap that exists between the students in need and the amount of supplies in the schools, Teaching Tools works to propel future generations of leaders for our community.

Teaching Tools currently serves 87 of the highest need Title-I schools and instructional sites throughout the district, which relays to more than 1,800 teachers who are eligible to shop monthly and 50,000 at-risk students receiving school supplies annually.

On an average shopping day, Teaching Tools will distribute $12,000-$15,000 worth of free product into the hands of teachers and students in need. We encourage teachers to take advantage of this resource. The store is open year round so you can save thousands of dollars each year by coming to visit Teaching Tools! The type of product distributed ranges from the basics, such as pencils, pens, crayons, markers, glue and colored pencils to paper, folders, backpacks, personal care items, new and used books, incentive items and arts and crafts. In addition, teachers can choose from items such as binders, deskware and stationery, which are surplus from businesses in the community.

 Teachers are eligible to shop through three avenues:

Full-Service Shopper Program

Each full-time teacher at eligible Title-I schools can shop for free supplies once per month during shopping hours. The average monthly shopping trip is valued at $250!

One Representative Shopper Program

Eligible Title-I schools that are part of this category have one representative who shops for the entire school. Since the representative is shopping for the entire school, they are eligible for four times the amount of an average shopping trip, which means they often leave with up to $1,000 worth of supplies each month! To learn who the representative is for your school, please call (813) 740-7651.

Volunteer to Shop Program

Any full-time public school teacher who works for a one-rep school or for a school Teaching Tools does not currently serve can volunteer for three hours per month to earn a shopping coupon! To sign up to volunteer, please call (813) 740-7651.

Shopping Hours

• Wednesdays from 3-6:30 pm (teachers must check-in no later than 6:00 pm)
• Thursdays from 3-6:30 pm (teachers must check-in no later than 6:00 pm)
• 2nd Saturday of each month from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm (teachers must check-in no later than 11:30 am)

*Teachers must be on the roster list we receive from their school and bring their teacher ID each month for entrance into the store.
*Shopping hours change during the summer months (May-July).

For directions to Teaching Tools, please click here.
Phone: (813) 740-7651
Fax: (813) 740-7654

Donna Ippolito, Principal at Ruskin Elementary, shared with Teaching Tools how our yearly Principal Shop benefited her school. As Donna told us, at the Principal Shop she received desks, chairs, lamps, books, shelves, paper and many other large items. She told us that without these items from the Supply Store, her teachers would have gone without as they do not have money within their budget to purchase those types of items.

Teaching Tools would not exist without the generosity of the Tampa Bay community. Through Teaching Tools, everyone has the opportunity to positively impact the life of a local student in need. In order for us to continue providing learning resources, we rely on the kindness of the community for both financial and in-kind support. We are proud that 90% of each dollar donated goes directly back into the program. To learn more about financial donations, sponsorships or, for product donations, please call (813) 740-7651.

Want to stay up to date with what’s happening with Teaching Tools and other Foundation programs? Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter!

Students looking for volunteer opportunities must be at least 15 years old and can obtain community service hours at Teaching Tools. If interested, please call (813) 740-7651.

“Fantastic support for students and teachers of high poverty schools!”
B. Perkins, Teacher at Clair-Mel Elementary

“This store has been a lifesaver. So many great [items] and the helpful staff. It is great appreciated.”
Kerri Guth, Teacher at Bing Elementary