Since 1998, JLCU has partnered with local businesses to supply thousands of dollars worth of school supplies to local C-U schools for students who cannot afford these items. Each summer, JLCU volunteers stocked “lockers” to distribute to each school so teachers can access supplies as a need arises. The supplies include markers, glue sticks, folders, pencils, pens, erasers, notebooks, and much, much more.
In 2009, the JLCU membership voted to expand this project from lockers containing supplies located in the schools to a teachers' warehouse, where teachers are invited to shop free of charge for materials for their students and themselves, in order to help students experience school success. The storefront is located at 3358 Big Pine Trail, off of Olympian Drive, in Champaign.
In order to shop, teachers need only to bring their school ID. All classroom materials will be provided at no cost, and will be based on each school’s free and reduced lunch population. The supplies offered vary from typical school supplies, such as pens, pencils, composition books and crayons, to more unconventional supplies, such as copy paper, tote bags and toys for classroom treasure chests. Teachers will be invited to shop once per quarter according to schools, thereby allowing teachers to secure materials at various times throughout the school year. The shopping sessions will be advertised through the JLCU website, at www.juniorleaguecu.org, as well as through the CU Schools Foundation list serve.
If you have any questions, please call our office at 356-5880. We look forward to seeing you!
