Through the efforts and donations of the Grand Valley State University surplus store, a local elementary school received enough supplies to fill the needs of an entire classroom.

Located at the Steelcase building, the surplus store is a recent addition to GVSU that aims to support the university by taking in used materials for recycling or later sale at the retail store. The sales of all items at the retail store go toward funding for the university.

Items available for sale at the retail store include furniture, laptops, cell phones and office chairs, among other things. If an item brought into the surplus store cannot be reused, it is then recycled.

Student employee Rebecca Ramos says that when given the chance, the surplus store tries to donate some of its items to local nonprofits such as Grandville Public South Elementary School.

“We contacted Julie Moore, a teacher at Grandville Public South Elementary, and told her about the store,” Ramos said. “We told her that in certain approved opportunities, we can donate things that aren’t selling. In this case we had a large surplus of tables and chairs. When we have a large surplus of items, we look toward local nonprofits in need.”

The GVSU surplus store gave the classroom a total of seven chairs and 28 tables.

“I spoke with the teacher on the phone, and she was very thankful for our help,” Ramos said. “We were happy to do something that would benefit not only the school but the area around us as well.”

Moore, a sixth grade teacher, said the furniture donated by the surplus store was a much needed addition.

“I had 28 desks in my classroom prior to the donation,” Moore said. “They were not at all conducive to a collaborative learning environment as driven by the new curriculum with common core.”

Moore said that when she received the donation she was completely surprised.

“I was shocked,” Moore said. “I fully anticipated paying for the tables and chairs. The school has a budget for those kinds of things, but this was my choice to change from a traditional environment. I wanted something that facilitated small group discussions and learning activities. I was actually willing to purchase the furniture using my own funds.”

Moore said the new furniture has created a fresh dynamic in the classroom.

“The students love having tables and chairs versus desks,” Moore said. “It not only aides in collaboration, but promotes a sense of community. As a result, students work much better together.

“I am also able to enhance learning and higher level thinking by providing more hands-on, collaborative and exploratory activities that align with the common curriculum.”

As a GVSU graduate, Moore said she hopes to give back to the university for all they gave her classroom.

“I have always been a loyal GVSU graduate, and I attempt to give back,” Moore said. “Never did I imagine that GVSU would give so much to me.”

The GVSU surplus store is open every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about the store, call (616) 331-9072.