How to Donate to Teachers' Closet in Greater Fall River Area

Through selfless efforts of the community, school supply drives lend a helping hand to students in need, but what happens when the teacher needs help?

Thanks to the initiative of the United Way of Greater Fall River, The Teachers’ Closet is back for its sixth year, connecting schools with donated supplies for teachers to pull from throughout the year.

What Is Teacher’s Closet?

The Teacher’s Closet is a year-round effort to keep supplies fully stocked for teachers in several schools in the Greater Fall River area.

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“We recognized early on that the abundance of supplies at the start of school quickly dwindles and new needs emerge regularly,” Executive Director Kim Smith said. “We also wanted to ensure that all of the communities we serve in the Greater Fall River area were included in the program, so we decided to adopt eight schools — two from the city and one from each of the other six towns in our service area for the ‘24-‘25 academic year.”

United Way relied on accountability metrics to choose which schools would receive a Teachers’ Closet. The metrics looked at the progress made in achievement, growth, high school completion, English language proficiency, chronic absenteeism and advanced coursework completion.

The organization also met with local academic leaders, and with the help of local businesses and individual donations, closets will be stocked at the following schools:

Garnder School in Swansea

Macomber School in Westport

South School in Somerset

Westall School in Fall River

Resiliency Preparatory Academy in Fall River

Plans to open closets in Tiverton, Little Compton, and Assonet await confirmation.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to rally around this initiative and support these schools throughout the year," one United Way committee member said.

How to Help Teachers’ Closet

Teachers’ Closet is helping teachers build safe, healthy and creative classrooms all year round. Items such as tissues and paper towels, disinfectant wipes or spray, and hygiene items are welcomed donations.

United Way looks to take it one step further by enhancing the learning experience.

It is asking for items such as pattern blocks, geoboards and magnetic numbersm as well as items that promote social-emotional learning including sensory objects, emotional identification tools and fidget devices.

“As social-emotional learning becomes prioritized in education curriculums, UWGFR aims to support these efforts by creating access to tools that assist youth in realizing their developmental potential,” United Way said.

Get involved by sponsoring one or more Teachers’ Closets, making an individual financial donation or purchasing supplies online. Donations can also be dropped off at UWGFR’s office, 30 Bedford St. in Fall River, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit Teachers’ Closet online for more details.

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