Local Charity Expanding With New Building In 2022

A Tulsa charity that supplies school supplies for teachers, and their students, is expanding into a larger building next year that will allow them to serve more students.

The Pencil Box started construction at 2435 Southwest Boulevard on a $2.2 million building this week. They hope to open in time for the start of school next fall.

The Pencil Box gathers supplies, most of it donated by stores like Amazon and Office Depot, and allows teachers to come in and shop for what they need. Because of the pandemic, the Pencil Box has been delivering products to schools directly, but they hope to reopen for in-person shopping in the spring.

CEO Nancy Bolzle said the need only increased during remote learning, and they fill a gap by supplying needs directly to teachers who can ensure the supplies directly benefit students. The Pencil Box has already distributed $2 million in supplies this school year. The charity opened in 2015 and serves school districts throughout Tulsa County.