The details
According to a NEF’s Facebook post, the Neffie mobile store opened Sept. 10. It’s first stop was Worthington Middle School where 79 teachers from the Worthington campus and nearby district schools were able to use its services.
According to NEF’s website, while Neffie is the organization's mobile resource store, the original brick and mortar store and library—which was created during the pandemic—is still available to help fill the gap for NISD teachers and students through free resources and educational materials. NISD teachers can “shop” for school and classroom items such as:
- Supplies
- Snack packs
- Clothing items
- Books
- Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesdays from noon to 6:30 p.m.
- The third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
NEF Executive Director Jennifer Burton said teachers have been providing supplies and resources to students by using their own money for years. Last year, the store saved educators more than $500,000. This year, the store served more than 700 teachers in the first four days of being open.
The idea for Neffie came when Burton was asked about the sustainability of the store in response to the fast growth of the district.
Quote of note
“If we want to keep being successful, we need to take this show on the road,” Burton said. “We’re so excited to be able to meet the needs of our teachers where they are, on their campuses.”
Burton said the plan is for Neffie to visit every district middle school this semester. Middle schools were chosen because of their central locations with regard to neighboring campuses, Burton said.
