The Pencil Box Tulsa

The Pencil Box is a free store for teachers where teachers can shop for free school supplies. Many educators spend up to $2,000 a year of their own money to provide supplies for their students and classrooms. Teacher free stores give participating teachers the supplies for a minimal fee and volunteer time in the store.

Teachers from specific schools are invited by the store to shop. The store is not open to the public. An invitation is extended based on the number of children in the school who are enrolled in the USDA National School Lunch Program.

A teacher free store involves occupying a building, employing both paid staff and volunteers, accounting for funds and inventory, and keeping regular, predetermined business hours. This differs from a school supplies giveaway program, which is structured as a once or twice a year event, at which school supplies are given away to a predetermined number of children in designated schools, school districts, or service areas. No permanent building or personnel are required for a school supplies giveaway program.

Educators must be kindergarten through grade 12 lead classroom teachers employed by Tulsa Public Schools and teaching in a school where at least 70% of the students qualify for the USDA’s National School Lunch Program.

Teachers always need basic school supplies such as pencils, pens, markers, crayons, glue, scissors, and notebook filler paper. Teachers are very creative and use products that one would never imagine in a classroom. Check out our wish list. (create line to donate – wish list)

Typically, we only accept items that will fit into the back seat of a teacher’s car. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept computers and electronics at this time. Please contact Tulsa PC Power to donate computers and related equipment. However, do not hesitate to contact us if you have larger items, as we might be able to use them.
We have a limited ability to pick up donations. Therefore, we request that donors please arrange for delivery or drop off contributions at our store.

In most cases, businesses and individuals can claim donations as charitable contributions, but you should rely on the advice of your tax advisor. (create link to donate – money)

The Pencil Box is funded solely through generous donations from the community, including corporations, businesses, foundations, and individuals. We are not publicly funded, nor do we receive any support from United Way.

We are located at 916 West 23rd Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Grand Opening is scheduled for August 3, 2015.

Shopping will be Monday – Thursday, when school is in session
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
(All shoppers must check in by 5:45 p.m.).
Eligible schools will be permitted to shop once every five weeks (according to their shopping schedule).
Teachers who volunteer on Saturday mornings (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) will shop afterwards.

Many items are limited to ensure that merchandise is fairly distributed to all schools and their students. Those items will be clearly marked with the maximum quantities allowed.

Based upon reports from established teacher free stores in other cities, teachers can expect to leave with an average of $650 to $1,000 worth of valuable school supplies.

Students ages 14 and over are encouraged to fulfill their community service hours at The Pencil Box. Please contact us for details at info@pencilboxtulsa.org.