
Online ONLY starting Wednesday, August 5th
The Why
Elkhart Community Schools Teachers report spending $1000 a year on average of their own money on school supplies and personal hygiene products for their students.
Regardless of their ability to pay, students deserve the opportunity for success in the classroom; that success is dependent on having the tools they need to succeed.
The Solution
The Elkhart Education Foundation is stocking and facilitating a Schoolhouse Supplies “Store” that will be available to all ECS faculty and staff.
There will be weekly open hours where teachers, paras, counselors, and social workers can browse in person and get the supplies they need for their classrooms at no cost.
Faculty/Staff will also be able to place online orders and have the supplies shipped directly to them in their school buildings.
The How
- EEF is having an inventory and ordering website built specifically for this purpose.
- ECS has donated the storage space, “store” display space, shelving, and will facilitate deliveries.
- EEF introduced a school supply recycling program during locker clean out. Those gently used supplies will be repurposed for the Schoolhouse Supplies Store
- School Bus boxes will be distributed to 50 different corporate locations throughout August for school supply donations to further stock the store. The business with the largest amount of donations will win a congratulatory billboard!
- EEF and the Salvation Army are partnering with Walmart for a one-day school supply drive to add donations to the store.
- EEF will accept corporate donations in order to purchase supplies in bulk to stock the store.
“I came into my classroom with just a couple of boxes of books and a box of random decorations someone had given me. I was overwhelmed by how much I didn’t have…and we didn’t have the money to buy anything for my classroom. This is amazing. Thank you so much.”

EEF SCHOOLHOUSE SUPPLY STORE ECS EMPLOYEE AND VOLUNTEER INFORMATION ON COVID-19
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL THIS INFORMATION. IF YOU ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE CONTACT STEPHANIE COLEMAN AT STEPHANIE@ELKHARTEDFOUNDATION.ORG OR (574) 343-0704.
With rising concerns over the spread of COVID-19 nationwide, the Elkhart Education Foundation is taking steps to ensure the well-being of all ECS employees and volunteers. With this in mind, EEF is implementing safety protocols that will remain in place until further notice.
WHAT TO WHILE IN THE STORE
- ECS employees are encouraged to shop online at OneCityOneMission.org/supply-store.
- In-person shopping is an option on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only. Contact Stephanie Coleman to schedule your appointment time which will be between the hours of 3pm-5pm (EST). Before an appointment can be scheduled, you will be asked a few screening questions to ensure you are healthy and have not been exposed to the coronavirus. In-person visitors will be limited to 5 people at a time.
- Before entering the building, a face covering is required. Please arrive with your own face covering. Refer to the attached flyer from Elkhart County Health Department regarding the proper wear of a face covering.
- Before entering the room, you will be required to wash or sanitize your hands.
- All are required to wear the face covering until you exit the building.
- All are encouraged to social distance by at least 6ft.
- Volunteers are asked to sanitize the space with the disinfectant spray and wipes after each visitor leaves the room.
HOW TO HANDLE IN-KIND DONATIONS
ECS employees and others are being asked to properly sanitize items before shipping or delivering in-kind donations to the supply store.
Donors are encouraged to make cash donations through Network for Good or by purchasing an item from our Amazon Wish List. If asked how, share this website: www.OneCityOneMission.org/supply-store.