MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — Representatives from Meta announced a $150,000 contribution to Free 2 Teach, a non-profit organization that collects school supplies for teachers in Madison County.

“This is incredible because it just signifies a significant investment in what our public-school teachers are doing every single day in our schools, anybody in the school building who works with a child to ensure that those kids have what they need,” Alison Kling, Free 2 Teach CEO said.

“To have Meta come alongside us in this significant way is powerful,” she said.

Kling said this is the largest single contribution in the group’s history and will go towards purchasing school supplies for 88 schools in Madison County. On average, Free 2 Teach gives out around $1.7 million worth of items annually.

Teachers in need of classroom supplies can shop at Free 2 Teach for around $500 worth of materials every trip. Kling said helping teachers ultimately helps students.

“What I know as a former educator myself is that every pencil really does make a difference,” she said. “Every opportunity a teacher has to build a relationship with a child in our public schools matters because it lifts the whole school.”

Heather Cleckler teaches at Madison County Elementary School and has been shopping from Free 2 Teach for years. She says the donation will make a big difference in students’ learning experience.

“Equity for all of our students is our ultimate goal, and I feel like education can be the ultimate equalizer,” Cleckler said. “We just have to get the materials into the hands of students and their needs met. And so to take that burden off of teachers, that need is met and they literally are free to teach, and that improves their mental health and the joy of the classroom.”

Meta’s donation will cover education materials ranging from lesson plans to craft and lab supplies. Teachers can schedule an appointment to shop in advance.