LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jennifer Thrasher was a little overwhelmed the first time she attended a donation open house at SOS.

The Louisville nonprofit SOS delivers surplus medical supplies all over the world in times of crisis, but a new program is also helping high school science and health teachers train future nurses and doctors.

“This is my second time here, so I kind of have a little bit better of an idea," Thrasher said as she browsed a room packed with medical supplies. “The first time I came I was extremely overwhelmed but I left with a minivan full stuff that we could use in our classroom."

Dozens of Kentucky high school teachers are visiting SOS' Louisville warehouse and distribution center. They're collecting a variety of medical devices that are expired but can still be used for classroom instruction.

Thrasher, a registered nurse and high school teacher, said it allows students a more "hands-on" learning experience.

“They are expired which they can’t send overseas but it’s really important for us because we can continue to use those expired products as we practice on our mannequins and things like that in our lab," Thrasher said. “Most students interested in health care are tactile learners. They need to be able to be able to do things with their hands and practice and not just see them, they need to feel them too. Having these products at our disposal is just incredible."

Even expired equipment would be too expensive for many schools to purchase on their own. Collectively, tens-of-thousands of dollars in equipment is going to Kentucky classrooms.

“Last night for instance, we had about 11 teachers or 12 come to get supplies and they took over 600 pounds worth and that valued at over $10,000," Portia Watson explained. Watson is the Local Health Manager at SOS.

“It’s helping students and members of our community," Thrasher said.