JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — More than a third of Northeast Florida residents live in poverty or at the brink of poverty. This is why First Coast News On Your Side along with United Way of Northeast Florida Full Service Schools have partnered with community sponsors and partners to bring you the area's premiere school supply drive Stuff the Bus for nearly two decades in Duval County on Friday, July 12. This year, the school supply drive grows even larger as we embrace the hard work of Clay Education Foundation and Impact Clay to collect supplies for students in Clay County on Friday, July 19.
“There should be zero barriers to learning,” said President/General Manager First Coast News Tim Thomas. “First Coast News is proud to live our brand On Your Side as we partner with critical non-profits who provide essential school supplies for students in need and support our teachers. We know that every little bit helps, and we want all kids to be able to achieve academic success no matter their background.”
The annual school supply drive kicks off with the Stuff the Bus Business Challenge on June 8. The goal is to encourage businesses, companies, and church groups to form teams in Duval County and Clay County. Then, the fundraising begins as you take part in a healthy competition for our children. All monies raised go back to each county to supply students with all the tools they need to go back to school. If you are a local business and would like to take part register now at unitedwaynefl.org/stuffthebus.
“After years of teaming up with Stuff the Bus in Duval County, we're excited to bring our efforts to Clay County!” said Roger Rassman, Chief Marketing Officer at Community First. “We're passionate about supporting education. This event and the Business Challenge showcase our collective power and the community's generosity. It's truly inspiring to see everyone come together to ensure every child has the supplies they need for school.”
You’re also encouraged to donate directly online at unitedwaynefl.org/stuffthebus or text CLASSROOMS24 to 30306. You’ll see a dropdown menu where you can choose to give to Duval County or Clay County. When you donate to Duval County, your gift purchases school supplies for eight Full Service Schools Family Resource Centers located throughout Jacksonville to support 87 schools and more than 57,000 students. When you donate to the Clay County Education Foundation, your donation benefits 47 schools and more than 40,000 students in Clay County.
"When students have school supplies on day one, teachers can focus their attention on other areas of need and create a more equitable learning environment for all students,” said Carolyn Krall, Clay Education Foundation CEO. “The Tools for Clay Schools program reaches teachers at every grade level from every school in the district. Teachers receive an average of $105 in supplies every time they shop, which keeps them from spending their own money on classroom supplies."
Here's a breakdown of what your donations can buy. With just a $5 donation, you can provide a backpack or personal care kit for a student lacking hygiene items. A $25 donation will provide a backpack fully loaded with every basic item a student in grade K-5 will need for half the school year. A $50 donation will provide mesh or clear backpack fully loaded with every basic item a middle school student will need for half the school year, including a scientific calculator. A $100 donation can buy a complete classroom pack for one classroom including everything from disinfectant wipes to dry erase markers and copy paper.
"We are thrilled to once again partner with First Coast News for Stuff the Bus, which will have a tremendous impact on classrooms, teachers and students in Duval and Clay counties," said Keto Porter, director of Full Service Schools, administered by United Way of Northeast Florida. "At United Way, we know breaking down academic barriers to success is essential for students and families to reach their full potential, and we can't wait to see the impact we'll make this year."
We’d love to see you donate to Stuff the Bus in Duval County in person on Friday, July 12 at Markets at Town Center from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You don’t even have to leave your car. Drive up to the First Coast News On Your Side tent and our volunteers will greet you. We’ll take your boxes, bags and bundles of supplies on board the bus for sorting. It’s that easy. If you have glue sticks or crayons, please alert us. We’ll take meltable perishables to our Crayon Cooler sponsored by J&W Heating and Air.
And, be a part of local history, donate in person to our first Clay County Stuff the Bus event on Friday, July 19. Clay County Education Foundation and Impact Clay are collecting your supplies at the Staples at Orange Park from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Donating is made easy here as well. Just drive up to the First Coast News tent and our volunteers will load your supplies onto the school bus. Crayons and glue sticks will be kept safe here as well, thanks to the J&W Heating and Air Crayon Cooler.
Both events will feature fun activations from our local Campers Inn RV, Whataburger and iHeart Radio partners. Check out a 12-foot Whataburger inflatable and learn about their Feeding Student Success activations, plus meet your favorite DJ’s from 93.3 The Beat, KISS 97.9, 99.1 WQIK and V 101.5.
FAQ’s HOW TO DONATE:
To donate now: unitedwaynefl.org/stuffthebus or text “CLASSROOMS24” to 30306.
Companies, churches and other groups are invited to register as a team to support Stuff the Bus. This year, we have two options.
Option 1: Host a virtual fundraiser by encouraging your group to give monetary donations. Instructions will be provided upon sign-up.
Option 2: Please register your group at unitedwaynefl.org/stuffthebus to collect physical school supplies, and we will send helpful information, tips and promotional graphics to use for a successful drive and team-building experience.
Come to the event:
If you are donating physical items, you can find a list of most-needed supplies for the classroom or for students below. First Coast News On Your Side volunteers will greet you from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 12 at The Markets at Town Center in Duval County and on Friday, July 19 at Staples in Orange Park in Clay County. We look forward to meeting you and to thank you for donating new school supplies at each bus.
Each event is a touch-free drive-thru drop-off. Pack your donations in your trunk, pop your trunk upon arrival, and we do the rest!
Drop off Locations for Stuff the Bus
Community First Credit Union
- Lakewood Branch – 1670 University Blvd. W, Jacksonville, FL 32217
- Riverside Branch – 1012 Margaret St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
- Downtown Branch – 623 N Main St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
- Mandarin Branch – 11701 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32223
- Arlington Branch – 7676 Merrill Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32277
- Westside Branch – 7640 103rd St, Jacksonville, FL 32210
- UNF Student Union Branch – 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224
- Baymeadows Branch – 8165 Point Meadows Way, Jacksonville, FL 32256
- Northside Branch – 1623 Edgewood Ave. W, Jacksonville, FL 32208
- Orange Park Branch – 625 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, FL 32073
- Bartram Branch – 13910 Village Lake Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32258
- Hodges Branch – 13808 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32224
- Fleming Island Branch – 2004 East West Parkway, Fleming Island, FL 32003
- Oakleaf Branch – 9690 Applecross Road, Jacksonville, FL 32222
- Lem Turner Branch – 11907 Lem Turner Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218
- Neptune Beach Branch – 1425 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL 32266
- Beach Branch – 1451 3rd Street S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
- Yulee Branch – 463909 State Road 200 Unit 1, Yulee, FL 32097
- St. Johns Branch – 3581 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd, St Augustine, FL 32084
- Murabella Branch – 5360 State Road 16, St. Augustine, FL 32092
J&W Heating and Air
- 5011 Sunbeam Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32257
Whataburger
- 8840 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216
- 7165 Philips Hwy, Jacksonville, FL 32256
- 7755 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32221
- 11559 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225
- 10600 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32257
- 8325 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32256
- 8239 Old Middleburg Rd S, Jacksonville, FL 32222
- 1201 Atlantic Blvd, Neptune Beach, FL 32266
- 289 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, FL 32073
iHeart Radio
- 8000 Belfort Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32256
The Markets at Town Center
- 4866 Big Island Drive, Suite 2 next door to REI, Jacksonville, FL 32246
Staples Orange Park
- 2285 Kingsley Ave Suite A, Orange Park, FL 32073
United Way
- Jessie Ball duPont Center 40 East Adams Street, Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL 32202
First Coast News On Your Side
1070 East Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202