CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Teachers flocked to the opening of the Clarksville-Montgomery County (CMCSS) Teacher Warehouse Thursday, July 28 to shop for back to school supplies.

The facility, located in the old Jostens building on Hwy 48/13, is operated by the Clarksville-Montgomery County Education Foundation.

Teacher Warehouse allows CMCSS teachers the opportunity to have access to new and gently used donated supplies for the benefit of student achievement. In the past six years the store has saved local teachers nearly $281,240 in out of pocket expenses. The store is fully staffed by volunteers who have dedicated more than 1,400 hours to ensure its continued success.

When a new teacher starts their career they often spend their own personal money buying items to decorate their classrooms so that it will be warm and inviting for students on the first day of school.

The CMC Teacher Warehouse will be open Thursday and Friday for New Teacher Shop Days. This gives teachers new to CMCSS for the 2016-2017 school year the opportunity to shop before school opens.

Local businesses and organizations partner with the Education Foundation throughout the year to help keep items on the shelves for teachers, which in turn benefits their students. The public can also make donations to Teacher Warehouse or show their support as a volunteer.

Volunteers will also be needed for the annual Stuff the Bus event on Aug. 6 and 7 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Stuff the Bus is a fundraiser held at area Walmart locations to collect supplies for the warehouse.

Those who wish to volunteer can find more information on the Education Foundation’s website.

A list of supplies needed during the Stuff the Bus event is below:

• Hand Sanitizer
• Clorox Wipes
• Boxed Tissues
• Paper Towels
• Liquid Soap
• Band Aids
• Dry Erase Board Erasers
• Dry Erase Board Cleaner
• Dry Erase Markers
• Pencil Erasers
• Index Cards Tape (all types)
• Glue Sticks
• Liquid Glue
• 2 Pocket Folders
• Poster Board
• Paper Clips
• Binder Clips
• File Folders
• Pencil /Boxes
• Post It Notes
• Highlighters
• 3 Hole Punch
• Single Hole Punch
• Scissors (adult & child)
• Clipboards
• Rulers
• Ink Pads & Stamps
• Paint & Brushes
• Flash Cards Staples
• Ziploc Bags (all sizes)