Getting kids back in school requires an adjustment in your schedule and your finances. It's the same deal for many teachers who spend their own money to get their rooms ready.

But that's where Compassion Coalition's "Equipped 2 Teach" program can help.

The program was started in 2017 with the goal of equipping students for the entire school year.

"Teachers were coming to us saying, 'In January and February, pencils break, crayons break' and they're really without supplies. So what we did is we launched this innovative, one-of-a-kind store for teachers to come and shop for their classrooms," said Compassion Coalition Director of Agency Relations, Rachel Daughtry.

It wasn't long before Donovan Middle School Teacher Gina Buono heard about it. Buono was just asking for pencil sharpeners when she got more than anticipated. 

"She sent over literally I think two truck-fulls of supplies for us. I mean, my whole room was filled with supplies. That's how our school even got started with it," said Buono.

The items are donated, or purchased by Compassion Coalition as the nonprofit brings money in through their bargain grocery store.

"We're giving more than $20 million a year in donated products to our community, and still have excess to give snacks to schools, to work with emergency food-workers, and then also to give to pig farmers. That's an incredible thing. It's a full circle community model," Daughtry said.

It's a simple process for eligible teachers. All they have to do is show up to the store, grab their shopping list and a cart, and shop till they drop.

"Before Equipped 2 Teach was here, I would say I probably spent between at least throughout the school between $300-500 easily," said Buono.

The store serves educators in schools with 70 percent or higher of students receiving free or reduced lunch. Staff hope more local donors will step up to the plate.

"We're really hoping that our own community steps up. We're hoping that some banks will step up and really utilize this to get the word out about how they support teachers," added Daughtry.

Sixty school districts have benefitted from the program. Time is scheduled throughout the school year for them to take what they need.