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An ethos of providing


Can I borrow a pencil? It's a question commonly asked between classmates, though it may point to an underlying problem that families and schools grapple with throughout the year. Getting the right school supplies for students to succeed in the classroom can become an expensive and unattainable task at times. We're here to connect students and teachers with those who can give a little extra throughout the school year.

The cost of school
supplies on average

2025

$858

2027* Projection

$888

2029* Projection

$919

According to a National Retail Federation report from 2026 , families will spend an average of 32% more on clothes and school supplies this year than in previous school years. Another 2026 report from Capital One indicates that spending per child in K-12 has increased over 7% when adjusting for inflation. The average household will spend $1,325.85 to get their kids prepared for school.


Not only are families struggling to purchase all the school supplies they need, but teachers often pay out of pocket to keep their classrooms and lesson plans on track. The same Capital One article highlights that teachers pay an average of $900 each year to refurbish their classrooms and provide materials for their students.

Borrow For Good

Never Pay For Anything. Everything on BorrowAPencil.org is a donation. No one should ever ask you for money, and you should never pay for anything: not the supplies, not shipping, not a "holding fee," nothing.

If anyone asks you for payment, gift cards, or financial information of any kind, stop communicating with them and report it to us right away. Requests for payment are against everything this site stands for and are a violation of our Terms of Use.

Contact Us

Have a question, suggestion, or need a hand with the site? We'd love to hear from you.

Email us at support@borrowapencil.org