The SAISD Foundation Teacher Store

Because every great teacher deserves a full cart.

For 20 years, the SAISD Foundation has helped educators transform their classrooms through teacher grants. But grants only go so far — every year, countless SAISD teachers still reach into their own pockets just to make sure their students have what they need. The SAISD Foundation Teacher Store is how we close that gap.

The SAISD Foundation Teacher Store is San Antonio’s first free supply store built exclusively for SAISD PK–12 educators. In partnership with H-E-B, we’re transforming space at Young Men’s Leadership Academy (YMLA) into a place where teachers can take new and gently used classroom materials at no cost — no fundraising, no receipts, no out-of-pocket spending.

The Teacher Store opened on October 5, 2026 — World Teacher Day — kicking off our first year with a goal of reaching 3,000 SAISD educators, nearly four times the 800 we currently serve through grants. It’s powered by community: SAISD’s Adult Years Vocational Program staffs the store as a job-training site, and San Antonio Area Retired Teachers Association volunteers help keep it running.

Hours & Location

Shopping Hours: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 3:00–6:00 PM

Location: Young Men’s Leadership Academy (YMLA), 415 Gabriel, San Antonio, TX 78202. Enter through the parking lot on N. Gevers St.

Donations: Accepted any time — shopping hours are for teachers; drop-offs aren’t limited to those days.

Key Dates & Seasons

Grand Opening: World Teacher Day — October 5, 2026.
Shopping Season (Oct – Mar): Open for after-school shopping visits (1 visit per teacher during the pilot season).
Donation Season (Apr – Jun): New retiring teachers can donate materials for teachers to put to use in the next school year.

Teachers

We are so glad you are here! Please click here to check-in.

H-E-B Wishlist

Next time you are grocery shopping, we hope you will consider purchasing high-need items from our H-E-B wishlist. All you need to do is view the list and add the items to your own cart.

Donate to the Teacher Store

Want to donate supplies, volunteer your time, or just learn more about The Teacher Store? Reach out to us at: SAISDFoundation@saisd.net — we’d love to hear from you.

Prefer to give financially? A monetary gift helps us keep shelves stocked year-round. Every dollar donated goes straight to keeping our shelves full for SAISD teachers.

Teachers Currently Served by Our Grants

Teachers to be Served by Our Store

Volunteer With Us

The Teacher Store runs on more than grants and donations — it runs on people. We’re looking for retired educators to help teachers shop, restock shelves, and welcome visitors to the store. If you love this community and want to stay connected to it, this is a great way back in.

Shifts are Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 2:00–6:00 PM

Ready to join us? Sign up here and pick the shift that works for you. Prefer to sign up over the phone? Call us at (210) 554-2235 — we’re happy to help.

Why Volunteer

Reconnect with the teaching community
Help support 3,000 SAISD educators
Share your experience and love of teaching with the next generation
Help create a welcoming space for the teachers who walk through our doors

What Fills Our Shelves

New materials from H-E-B and purchased inventory
Corporate overstock and partner donations: backpacks, insulated cups, highlighters
Convention & Meetings Swag: Lanyards, foam core, corrugated plastic, and branded supplies
Teacher-to-teacher surplus: calculators, recorders, and more

Thank You To Our Sponsor!

We are so grateful to open this store with H-E-B as our exclusive corporate sponsor for this store build, specifically for SAISD PK-12 educators! H-E-B has set the gold standard for honoring Texas educators through its Excellence in Education Awards for those who go the extra mile. Together, we will build a lasting infrastructure that ensures San Antonio educators have the tools they utilize in their classrooms every day.