General Questions

Why is Crayons implementing a fee? 
Over the last five to seven years, Crayons experienced a seismic shift in the financial support previously received from a corporate partner and that has forced us to examine alternative sources of funding. This exploration included looking for additional grants and working on corporate sponsorships. 

Is this idea unique to Crayons?
No. Other Teacher Resource Centers across the country have had success with a fee model. Some have had a fee since inception and some transitioned to it more recently.

Will teachers have to pay the fee if the school, district or sponsors don’t cover the cost? 
While we hope the financial burden does not fall on them, in some cases, teachers may pay the fee. Crayons has provided materials to school administrators with suggestions and resources to help cover the access fee for the entire school in hopes that it will not overwhelm any one funding source or the school’s budget. It’s a great sponsorship opportunity (e.g., PTO/PTAs, school-education foundations, and/or local businesses).

Is financial assistance available for teachers who cannot afford to pay the access fee?
Yes. We are grateful for opportunities to give “Teacher Hall Passes” made possible by generous donors! A Teacher Hall Pass covers the access fee for the 2024-25 school year (10 shopping trips in-store or online!). NOTE: Hall Passes will be awarded starting in late August on a rolling basis as funds are available. Apply HERE.

Are early childhood and preschool programs required to pay the fee for the 2024-2025 school year?
A generous grant from First Financial Bank will cover the new access fee for our early childhood & preschool program providers for the 2024-2025 school year! 

Will the store be open to more schools and teachers? (Not just the schools that currently qualify.)
No. Crayons expects to continue to serve schools across the 16-county region where 60% or more of the student population receives free or reduced-cost lunches (through the USDA). It is not our intent to expand the number of schools that we serve, but to be able to improve our services to those already qualified.

Access will continue to be for full-time certified teachers and other eligible school-employed personnel from our qualifying schools. 

How does the fee affect the Volunteer to Shop (VTS) Program?
VTS teachers may pay the one-time, annual fee when they volunteer and be able to volunteer and shop multiple times after that.

Shopping & Product

How many times does my access fee allow me to shop? 
The fee covers 10 shopping trips per school year: one per month August through May. 

Will there still be limits on items in the store, e.g. backpacks, paper, crayons? 
Yes. Shopping limits will still apply as well as our one-cart per shopper policy. 

What will the Store days & hours be?
We expect to have weekday afternoon hours and Saturday hours as Crayons did pre-Covid. We know Saturday shopping is in high demand.

STORE HOURS (August–May)
TUE-THU • 2:30–6:30PM
Typically, 2nd & 4th Saturdays • 9AM–1PM

Check the full shopping calendar HERE.

Will any items be accessible without having paid the fee? 
Yes. Qualifying teachers can shop for products received through our partnership with the Kids In Need Foundation. Those teachers would simply need to call 513-482-3290 to schedule an appointment.  

I have a shopping certificate I was not able to redeem from a previous school year. What are my options?
If you believe you have shopping certificates remaining from previous years’ volunteering, please contact Program Manager, Store and Volunteers, Taylor Young: tyoung[at]crayons2computers.org to verify. 

Will online ordering remain an option for 2024-25? 
Online ordering will open August 12, with the first orders being ready for pick-up the following week, August 20–22. Online ordering will remain available throughout the 2024-25 school year. Find more information about online ordering HERE.

NOTE: Placing an online order for pick-up WILL count towards teachers’ 10 shops.

Bonus Bulk Deliveries

Which schools qualify for bonus bulk deliveries?
Schools (with 25 or more teachers) who pay for 60% or more of their teachers to shop in the Teacher Resource Center.

What products are provided in a bonus bulk delivery?
Core items such as: crayons, pencils, paper, etc. (Items may vary due to availability.)

How many deliveries will my school receive?
Each school is guaranteed 1 (one) delivery per school year.

Why is my school receiving a bonus bulk delivery?
This is meant to reward schools that pay for 60% or more of their teachers to shop in the Teacher Resource Center.

Will the bonus delivery count as one of my ten shops?
No. The bonus delivery is an extra delivery of supplies for your school and will not count towards your ten shops.

Who do I contact if I have further questions about bonus bulk deliveries?
Please contact Kendall Glover at kglover[at]crayons2computers.org or call 513-482-6808.

Payments

What types of payments will be accepted? 
We will make our best effort to accommodate credit/debit cards, purchase orders, and checks, at minimum.

Does the school have to pay for all shoppers, regardless if they come?
Schools can choose to cover the cost for all teachers up front, can reimburse teachers that have a receipt of their payment to Crayons, or cover a set number of specific teachers and provide names with payment.