Teachers' Supply Closet Unveils New North Charleston Location

A New Chapter for the Teachers’ Supply Closet

North Charleston, South Carolina, recently celebrated a significant milestone with the grand opening of the Teachers’ Supply Closet’s new location. The event, held on Deerwood Drive, included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and marked a transformative moment for the organization. This new space is the result of a collaboration between the Teachers’ Supply Closet and the City of North Charleston, who repurposed an old fire department into a dedicated supply storage facility.

For decades, the Teachers’ Supply Closet has been a vital resource for educators, providing essential supplies to students in need. The organization's mission is to support teachers and families by alleviating some of the financial burdens they face. Executive Director Lynette Duggins emphasized that their goal is to ensure that no child is left behind due to a lack of basic materials.

Mayor Reggie Burgess shared personal insights about the impact of such programs. He recounted how teachers in his life provided extra support during his childhood, from offering lunch money to helping him afford textbooks. “The teachers picked up the slack,” he said. “They gave me a little extra money for lunch or an opportunity to get the book that I couldn’t afford.”

Duggins highlighted the organization’s reach, noting that since 2007, the Teachers’ Supply Closet has served 337,000 students and approximately 26,000 teachers. The program now supports 71 schools across Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley counties.

Shakeima Chatman, a former Charleston County teacher and current board member of the Teachers’ Supply Closet, understands the importance of this work firsthand. She described her experience teaching in Title I schools, where many students lacked basic supplies. “There is a poem called ‘Ain’t got no pencil,’ and I remember that when I was teaching in the classroom,” she said. “Being able to provide those resources is important.”

Volunteers and community organizations play a critical role in sustaining the Teachers’ Supply Closet. Austen Williams, a board member and member of the Jack and Jill of America Charleston Chapter, spoke about the group’s efforts to support the cause. “We raised an additional $7,000 last year in honor of our 70th year,” he said. “Our families, mothers, fathers, and children come and dedicate their time to organizing the supplies that you see here.”

Duggins anticipates increased demand for supplies this school year, based on recent calls from teachers. However, she remains committed to working with the community to meet these needs and ensure student success. “When students have the supplies they need, it changes their mindset toward education,” Burgess said. “It takes away that negative thinking in a child’s life so they can continue to be positive and do the things that they are capable of doing.”

Volunteers are essential to the operation of the Teachers’ Supply Closet. Those interested in contributing can visit the organization’s website or contact them at (843) 714-0234. Teachers in qualifying schools within Berkeley, Dorchester, or Charleston counties can order supplies online and pick them up at the new North Charleston location.

For more information, visit the Teachers’ Supply Closet website.