Supplies

One challenge many of us face is homeschooling on a single income in an area with a very high cost of living (hello, Bay Area!). But the Lord is gracious, and we are glad to share about these sources for supplies. We also post time sensitive sources in our HEART for Christ Homeschoolers Facebook group.

Note: This list doesn't include the usual places such as dollar stores, back to school sales or regular retailers who offer educator discounts. We recommend being familiar with them so you have a baseline for price comparison.

Art/Craft Supplies

•  FabMo

• Collects corporate donations from designer warehouses and makes available at low prices to educators. 
• Monthly selection events in Mountain View are free, with suggested donations based on the amount of material.
• Good for fabric, tiles, wood, wallpaper samples, sewing patterns and supplies.

Books

• Palo Alto Library Sale

• Monthly, second weekend of every month at Cubberly Community Center
• Children's room often has a good selection of foreign language, vintage finds. Bargain Room often has classics and library discards at 50 cents/book on Saturdays
• After the sale ends on Sunday, non profits and educators can get free books from the Bargain Room. I have shown my Private School Affidavit to participate.

• Redwood City Library

  • You can make an appointment with the Friends to browse their backroom: this is where they prep books and other items for sale in the front of the library
  • Depending on the donations in stock, you can find classics, library discards, textbooks and DVDs.

School Supplies

• Resource Area for Teachers (RAFT Bay Area), San Jose

• Collects corporate donations and repurposes them into teaching kits, or resells at low price to educators. Also runs workshops for educators.
• Good for teaching ideas, certain office supplies (on average cheaper than office supply stores except during their back to school sales), teaching manipulatives (e.g. fraction tiles, counters) and some lab supplies (thermometers, dissection kits, beakers).
• Annual membership is $35, but sometimes lower with promotions or workshop days