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When you look around a school classroom, do you ever wonder where the supplies came from?

In Missouri, there's a good chance some of it was purchased through the Missouri State Agency for Surplus Property, or MOSASP Program.

The supplies are sold at a low cost and there is a wide variety to choose from.

“Overall it is a way to save money.  They have many many many different items.  They have trucks they have a backhoe.  They have a lot of different things,” said Novinger Schools Superintendent Bill Lake.

Lake says he has purchased items from pens and paper to a salad bar and projector.

The supplies are located in Jefferson City and all of it comes from the government when they no longer have a use for it.

Lake drives down to Jefferson City himself and picks up materials in his truck.  If they purchase something that's larger, they can have it shipped to the school for an extra fee.

Novinger even purchased a camper used for bus equipment.
   
“We are in the process of selling one of those campers now.  Again, depending on what you sell it for, we have our cost, we'll make probably at least 2 maybe 3 or 4,000 off of the sale.  And it will still be sold at probably half the market value,” said Lake.

Lake says they have to keep the camper for 18 months before they can sell it to make a profit.

Novinger schools started using the program in 2005 and always keeps expensive items in mind.

“We did buy some bus tires when I first came here and I look every time I'm down for that because that's something we always need.  Like this year there was no paper available like last year.  It's kind of a hit and miss thing.  Honestly, the best deals go kind of quickly,” said Lake.

Agencies eligible for MOSASP are certain public agencies, not-for-profit educational and public health activities and agencies that serve the homeless, the needy and the elderly.