USA School Supplies FAQs:
1. Yes, the schools in the USA really do ask parents to buy things.
2. Yeah, wow, that’s crazy.
3. No, we don’t like it, either, but that’s life.
4. A great deal of the money allocated to “education” in the USA never makes it to the teachers, students, and schools for basic supplies.  That is not a subject for this channel.  We’re here to relax, not debate stuff.  You can do that elsewhere.  Anyone doing it here will be banned, and your comment will be deleted.  I hate to be so harsh, but this is a real problem every year, and I mean to put a stop to it.
5. No matter what country you live in, you have to pay for dumb things, too.
6. No, parents are not punished if they either can’t or won't bring in these supplies.  No consequences await those who don’t contribute.  However, the teachers often have to pay for supplies out of their own pocket when no one provides them – and that can cost a teacher hundreds of dollars a year.  Hopefully, by donating these things, we can help prevent at least a little bit of that.
7. No, nobody cares to hear how awesome your country is right now.  This is not a contest.  No matter where you live in the world, everyone is struggling.  Maybe you can take that all-caps energy and help someone in your area.  A little kindness goes a long way.
8.  The Ziploc bags are used for a variety of things in the classroom.  It may seem like a strange request, but they come in handy to store little bits of stuff, fragile projects, and dirty clothes, among other things.
9.  The headphones are used for classroom stuff/laptop use.  It helps prevent the spread of lice, germs, etc. for each child to have their own set of headphones.  Yeah, the school should provide them.  No, they often don’t.
10.  I will continue to do these back-to-school shopping trips to help out my community every year, as long as I am financially able to do so.  In a perfect world, it wouldn’t be necessary to buy any of these things, but we don’t live in a perfect world.  I want to help as many people as I can, for as long as I can.
11.  No, I didn't overlook that list item or purchase the wrong thing to traumatize you.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s relax and enjoy some shopping.  😊

I am a 23 year third grade teacher. I heard you say, "They won't go to waste. I'm just gonna do it," as you put 15 packs of dry erase markers in your cart. I am crying.  You have no idea how much that will mean to some child who can learn because you gave. Or the teacher that can pay her rent or get a coffee on a hard day because you gave something that she didn't have to supply herself. I truly thank you and wish Blessing on you.😢❤

I’ve been out of school for 23 years now and I still get a mixture of excitement and dread when I see back to school stuff. 😅

Hooray for the school kids.  Thanks Mary -- as a former teacher, it makes a huge difference.  Bless You. Also, if you do not want to go shopping, if you give money to the school lunch fund, it helps pay for lunches and snacks for kids whose families might be struggling.

I love the way you actually "choose" the items and not just "throw" them into the cart. You have a kind soul 😅💖
*sorry if I wrote something wrong.

As a teacher i appreciate that you help send in supplies for some of those kids who can't afford to bring supplies to school.

Back to school shopping was always so much fun for me as a kid. We never got anything fancy, but getting a new backpack and folders was where it was at! I'd always get the $1 ones with Corvettes and such on them. Also there is nothing like a fresh set of brand new pens, or perfectly sharpened pencils! I walk through the supplies aisle every once in awhile just for the nostalgia.

My jaw DROPPED at the end. You are so incredibly generous, thank goodness there are people like you around.

This warms my heart. I was so embarassed as a kid having to use the same backpack for 7 years, and sharpening pencils down to the eraser. Every parent, teacher, and student is thanking you now and forever. ❤

I have been teaching for 14 years and I moved to Miami a little over two years ago. I have never had to spend so much of my personal money for school supplies and equipment. Almost nothing is provided here. Thank you for being a blessing. Your impact is bigger than you could imagine.
❤

Mary, you`re so kind and generous! Your community is very lucky to have you! ❤

stop being sorry for what brands you get!! very grateful for you ❤

I love back to school shopping. My parents always seemed to dread it, but since I became a mom, it’s something I look forward to doing.

As a first grade  teacher, every year I spend sooo much of my personal money on school supplies and classroom supplies. I wish there were more people like you! I'm sure you are appreciated! 😊 THANK YOU!

This is incredible to do something this nice for teachers. As a former early childhood educator, so many kids lack supplies. May God bless you ❤

Mary, you’re so kind and generous x

I love that you posted this video this weekend; I’m doing something similar (only able to get a couple grades and 1-2 things for the teachers) and I just finished my shopping today. I got the idea from your Christmas angel videos that I’ve been rewatching recently. Please know that your generosity is contagious and inspires others to do what they can to help others as well.

Thank you for all the kindness you put out into the world!

Also, for next year, Sams club has some pretty good discounts on the dry erase marker packs😊

Truly wonderful Mary. Every year you make us so so proud! Not to be condescending at all!!!!!!

As an elementary school teacher, I can tell you we use Zip-loc bags for a million things!  I use them to organize materials for group projects so that each group gets a bag with everything they need - it enables me to prepare ahead of time. I use them to organize anything that has lots of small pieces to it.  In an emergency I have used a bag to protect my hand (from a biological hazard) because I ran out of plastic gloves in my First Aid Kit!

As a former teachers aide marriage to a teacher (we worked in different districts) God Bless you for buying those supplies! Every year my husband spends his own money on supplies and even food for his students. You are such a gift to your community 🌸