RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- From pencils and paper to snacks and even socks for students in need, many teachers open their own wallets to buy critical items. On average, U.S. teachers spend nearly $900 every year to stock up.

At schools like Barack Obama Elementary in Richmond's Northside, where many students live below the poverty level, teachers spend even more.

But this year, the school’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is back in action to try and reduce that with a seemingly ambitious goal: to raise $10,000 through its first-ever online auction.

With the auction closing at 10 p.m. on Sunday, October 19, the PTO is hoping for some last-minute bidding wars on items as varied as babysitting services and coffee with Richmond Mayor Danny Avula to handmade pieces from local artisans and va

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