Stuff the Bus

Thousands of students every year start school without essential supplies for academic success. Moreover, teachers spend hundreds of dollars out of their own pockets annually to stock their classrooms properly. This year, we need your help to stuff TWO buses full of essential school supplies.

Now through Aug. 2, United Way of Northeast Florida and First Coast News are joining forces once again to Stuff the Bus–our annual initiative supporting classrooms, teachers and students in need. Our goal is to collect enough essential school supplies as possible so that students can experience greater academic success and their families can be more financially stable this school year. Donations will benefit United Way’s Full Service Schools initiatives. Learn how you can get involved below and scroll down to see a list of suggested school supply donations.

Ways to get involved: 

First Coast News Community-wide Supply Drop-off Day

Aug. 2, community members are invited to drop off new school supplies at The Markets at Town Center any time most convenient for you. The school buses will be located in the parking lot facing Town Center Parkway, adjacent to Sprouts.

Group School Supply Drives

Companies, churches, and other groups are also invited to sign up to collect school supplies. We will arrange for the drop-off of a Stuff the Bus collection box and fliers, all you have to do is fill it with supplies! Teams are encouraged to drop off their collections at the Community-wide Supply Drop-off Day (information above). If the group is unable to attend, they can arrange to drop off their supplies at the United Way office prior to August 1st. Click here to register

Volunteer

Helping hands are needed as well! Take a look at the volunteer opportunities associated with Stuff the Bus!  Click here for our volunteer needs 

Make a Donation

Can’t join us at The Markets at Town Center Aug. 2 and don’t have time to volunteer? Text “classroom” to 30306 to make a monetary contribution to Stuff the Bus now or click the link below to give to United Way of Northeast Florida. Click here to donate

No matter how you choose to be involved, be sure to snap a selfie for Twitter or Instagram and tag @unitedwaynefl and use #stuffthebusjax!

  Questions? Contact us.

School Supply Donation List

• 3×5 index cards
• 3-ring binders (1/2- and 1-inch)
• Calculators (regular and graphing)
• Clear or mesh backpacks
• Compasses
• Composition books
• Crayons
• Dividers
• Erasers
• Flash drives
• Glue sticks/bottles
• Graph paper
• Hand sanitizer
• Headphones
• Highlighters
• Loose-leaf notebook paper
• Lunch boxes
• Markers
• Pencil pouches
• Pencils
• Pens (red, black and blue)
• Planners
• Plastic zip bags
• Pocket folders
• Post it notes
• Protractors
• Rulers
• Scissors
• Spiral notebooks
• Tissues