Pencils & Paper, a program of Jewish Family Services, serves the educational and creative needs of children in the greater Rochester area by providing free school supplies to teachers in high poverty schools. Teachers can shop twice a year and receive an estimated $1,400 worth of school supplies at each shopping trip.
How does the Pencils & Paper program work?
Monroe County schools in which 70% or more of the students are eligible for free and reduced meals, are invited by Jewish Family Services (JFS) to participate in our Pencils & Paper program on a school-by-school basis. Pencils & Paper is stocked with basic classroom supplies such as pencils, paper, pens, glue, markers, art supplies, tissues, etc. All supplies are free of charge to teachers and items can only be used for the benefit of students in need in our community.
Teachers from enrolled schools are permitted to shop for free school supplies once per semester.
Hours
Appointments available August through April:
- Tuesdays 3:00 pm – 5:45 pm
- Thursdays 3:00 pm – 5:45 pm
- Select Saturdays and school holidays
To ensure that you have the best experience possible, appointments are required to shop at Pencils & Paper. Prior to scheduling an appointment, please check to see if your school is on the enrollment list. If your school is on the enrollment list, please email your school administrator/principal for the link invite to sign up for an appointment using our online system.
If your school is not on the enrollment list, please contact rseablom@jfsrochester.org to determine whether your school is eligible.
Location
Pencils & Paper
1099 Jay Street
Water Tower Park
Bldg. N, Dock 9
Rochester, NY 14611 (Map)
We are behind the Villa of Hope.
Contact
For more information, special requests or to inquire if your school is participating, please contact Oni Colón, Program Director at ocolon@jfsrochester.org or call (585) 736-4610.
Thank You Notes
Thank you notes or pictures from appreciative students and teachers let our donors know how much their support means! Please email us pictures of your students using supplies and tag us on social media.
Donate
There are some donated items that Pencils and Paper does not accept. These include used crayons or colored pencils, used erasers, used child scissors, hanging files, envelopes, used notebooks, and lined pads.
Download list of needed items
Volunteer
Volunteers are vital to the success of Pencils and Paper. There are many volunteer opportunities available!
Apply to be a volunteer
