IAAM Announces School Supply Drive Supporting CCSD Teachers

Today, the International African American Museum (IAAM) announced the launch of their inaugural school supply drive in partnership with Teachers’ Supply Closet, an organization providing free resources for teachers in the Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties of South Carolina. Teachers’ Supply Closet’s mission is to serve children in the Tri-County areas in meeting their educational and creative needs by providing free school supplies.  The drive, organized by the Faith-Based Education and Engagement team at the IAAM, was designed to serve teachers within the Charleston County School District (CCSD).

“As an institution with a commitment to education and outreach, it was important for the museum to make a commitment to our local educational partners. Teachers work tirelessly and have continued to engage and educate their students, even in the midst of a global pandemic,” said Reverend DeMett Jenkins, the museum’s Lilly Director of Education and Engagement for Faith-Based Communities. 

“These teachers deserve the support of their community. This is a unique opportunity for us all to come together and address the critical needs of one of our most vulnerable and underappreciated communities.”

Throughout the school year, teachers from 59 Charleston County and surrounding schools (Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester) are able to go to the Teachers’ Supply Closet and shop for classroom supplies at no charge. The museum aims to encourage the community to donate essential resources for teachers, who often come out of their own pocket for supplies. 

A survey of 5400 U.S. teachers revealed that during the 2020-2021 school year, teachers spent an average of $750 out of pocket on school supplies. 30% of those teachers spent an average of $1,000 or more on school supplies. 

Through the Back to School Supply Drive, Teachers’ Supply Closet hopes to collect the following materials: backpacks, calculators, children’s books (k-12), compasses/protractors, composition books, copy paper, crayons (24 count), dividers, glue sticks, hand sanitizer, hand soap, highlighters, index cards, large pink erasers, pencils, pens, pocket folders, rulers, scissors, tissues, washable markers, 3 ring binders, colored folders, notebooks, office supplies, clipboards, mailing tubes, tradeshow products, highlighters, hanging file folders etc. 

Interested donors can drop off supplies from December 1st – 31st 2021 at the following locations:

Hebron-Zion Presbyterian Church

2915 Bohicket Road
Johns Island, SC 29455
843-559-0865

Wednesdays from 10am -2pm
Thursdays from 10am -2pm

Grace Reformed Episcopal Church
Community’s Hope Impact Center

212 Cooper Street
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
843-507-0077

Tuesdays from 10am -7pm
Saturdays from 10am-7pm

Ebenezer AME Church

44 Nassau Street
Charleston, SC 29403
843-723-4660

Monday through Friday
10am -4pm

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church

136 St. Phillip Street
Charleston, SC 29403
843-723-6066/716-481-0244

Wednesdays from 12pm-2pm
Sundays from 8am-12pm

Masjid Al-Jami Ar-Rasheed

1998 Hugo Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
843-737-3347

Fridays 12pm -3pm
Saturdays 12pm -3pm

If you donate any items, the museum request you use #IAAMGivesBack for a chance to be featured on its social channels.

If you’re interested in making a donation, becoming a host facility, or have another inquiry related to the museum’s school supply drive, please reach out to Rev. DeMett Jenkins at [email protected].