CINCINNATI — Crayons to Computers, a free school supply store, was closed for the start of the school year because of COVID-19, but now the store has started to gradually reopen for educators.
At first, the nonprofit distributed about 2,000 school supply kits to teachers across the Tri-State, but now they have retrofitted their store to allow teachers to come in and stay safe and healthy while they shop for supplies.
The changes include only allowing 10 teachers inside the store at a time, requiring teachers to wear masks while inside the store, having sanitizing stations set up around the store and requiring teachers to make an appointment to shop.
Even the supplies offered by the store are different. Crayons to Computers now offers masks, face shields and cleaning supplies.
"We know that the need is there," Crayons to Computers President and CEO Amy Cheney said. "We know that if you think about kids that didn't have the basic supplies that they need under normal circumstances and then with COVID, there are so many more families that are dealing with unemployment that there are definitely more kids that need the help ..."
Right now, Crayons to Computers is open to preschool teachers by appointment only, but they hope to be open to K-12 teachers by Oct. 12.
If you would like to donate to Computers to Crayons, or would like to learn more about them, click here.
It's a busy week at @C2CCincinnati as they welcome preschool teachers back in to shop for school supplies for their students. The Crayons to Computers store has been closed since the start of the school year. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/K1cT7ADz4K
— Ally Kraemer (@AllyKraemer) October 1, 2020
