Teacher Reuse Exchange
At the heart of the Teacher Reuse Exchange (TRE) is a mission rooted in sustainability and equity. Every year, schools, teachers, businesses, and those in the community discard enormous amounts of usable materials: books, classroom supplies, educational tools, and other resources that still have life left in them. Instead of allowing these items to end up in landfills, the TRE provides a structured, welcoming outlet where they can be donated, repurposed, and placed back into the hands of people who need them most. This simple act of reuse not only reduces waste but also strengthens the educational ecosystem by ensuring that teachers—many of whom spend hundreds of dollars of their own money on supplies—have access to the tools they need to support their students.
WHAT TEACHERS HAVE SHARED WITH US:
- I don't have a lot of personal money to spend this year.
- My students start the year off in need. Their parents take care of the younger siblings but wait until the second month of the school year to purchase school supplies. I would like to see them have their school supplies on the first day of school.
- I could not have set up my classroom as well as I did without Teachers Reuse Exchange. They take donations of teacher supplies and then resell them for a low $20a bag! Check out this haul from one of my back-to-school shopping trips!
- You guys have saved my skin more times than I can count. I spent my entire classroom budget on 4 reams of paper, so literally wasn't able to get anything else.
- I am an educator returning to the classroom after 8 years away from the profession due to military service. I will be teaching ELA and writing. I am starting over and would sincerely appreciate donations for my classroom.
- I am a title 1 school with extreme poverty. I always buy my own supplies as the school never provides them, so this gets to be extremely expensive. I do PBL so the supplies are crazy.
- I am looking for any cheap resources I can possibly find to support my classroom as the community that I am serving is low income. The students are provided both breakfast and lunch and the classroom is the only real safe place they know. I don't want my class to not receive the supplies and materials they need to learn because of me because they deserve the world.
Programs
Teacher Support
Every week at the Teacher Reuse Exchange, something remarkable happens—though it rarely makes headlines. A teacher walks through our doors, unsure of what they’ll find. For many, it means one less out of pocket expense and one more opportunity to focus on what matters most: their students. They leave with armfuls of resources, a renewed sense of possibility, and the knowledge that their community is standing behind them.
Community Literacy
Through our literacy initiatives, thousands of books have found new homes with children, families, and adults who might otherwise go without. Our Read Across America efforts bring stories directly into the hands of young readers. Bags of books delivered to partners like Children Read, The Place, Headstart of Forsyth, and Mentor Me help strengthen programs that support early learning, family stability, and youth mentorship.
Little Free Libraries
Little Free Libraries—kept full by our volunteers—offer a simple but powerful invitation: take a book, enjoy a story, share the joy of reading. Books help create strong readers and lifelong learners. Books from elementary to adult age are available 24/7! And remember, CHILDREN SHOULD READ AT LEAST 30 MINUTES EVERY DAY! So, stop by and get a book to read and share.
Nonprofit Support
Donations to the Teacher Reuse Exchange play a vital role in supporting teachers by providing them with necessary resources, but they also extend their impact to benefit a plethora of nonprofits dedicated to serving children in communities across Georgia. By fostering collaboration and generosity, your donations not only empower educators but also contribute to the overall well-being and success of countless children in need.
Volunteering + Events
Young Men's Service League - Forsyth
We absolutely love when moms and sons from YMSL come out to volunteer with us. Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and willingness to serve make a meaningful difference, and their support is truly invaluable to the TRE community.
Volunteers
Volunteers are essential to the Teacher Reuse Exchange. They have contributed thousands of hours, helping to sort, organize, stock shelves, and much more each week. We simply could not do what we do without them.
Read Across America
The Teacher Reuse Exchange serves Pre-K through Grade 5 in select Forsyth County public schools as part of their Read Across America Celebrations in March. Read Across America is an initiative that began in 1997, created by the National Education Association (NEA). It is recognized annually on March 2, which is also the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Schools across the nation participate by observing the unofficial “holiday” with a variety of activities.
Head Start of Forsyth - Summer Learning for Rising Kindergarteners
The Forsyth County Head Start Program regularly visits the Teacher Reuse Exchange to procure essential supplies and teacher resources. The TRE also provides books and summer learning materials for students. Catering to children from low-income and predominantly ESL households, this early education initiative plays a vital role in their development. Children enrolled in this program are given an opportunity to develop school readiness skills in an environment that encourages them to have fun while learning.