Companies to Classrooms Receives Generous Support Ahead of School Year

DULUTH, Minn.  — An educational supply store in Duluth is getting ready for the upcoming school year.

Companies to Classroom is a non-profit free store for teachers. Teachers from Duluth, Superior and 14 surrounding districts can all stop in once a month during the school year. Each of them can grab up to 15 items for free.

To get ready for the school year a lot of deep cleaning and organizing takes place. Thanks to a youth group on a mission trip from North Dakota they are just about ready.

“We have a big number of kids that are ready to do whatever is asked of them. You can just see how grateful people are for that opportunity. To have someone extra help so they can really do their mission and calling in the places that we come to serve,” said Mary Wiggins, Associate Pastor, and chaperone from St. John’s Lutheran Church.

The Duluth community has also played a role in getting the supply store ready.

“Duluth residents, and businesses and clubs have been very generous donating things. We just had a call the other day, this lady’s aunt was downsizing, and she asked for a list of things that we needed. And so, you know I just encourage anybody that has things that classrooms can use, anything from pencils to markers, glue sticks, rolling chairs, office chairs on wheels are in high demand,” said Carolyn Schroeder, Volunteer Store Manger.

Companies to Classrooms will open the third week of August for teachers. It is run entirely by volunteers, all of which are retired.