.Fill the Bus.

United Way of Northwest Arkansas is Ready to Fill the Bus for Local Schools 

 Program Initiative.

The Fill the Bus school supply drive returned to Walmart Supercenters in Washington and Benton counties on Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30, 2022. Thanks to long-standing partnerships with BIC, Crayola and Coca-Cola, the program supports 13 school districts in our community by helping students start school with confidence and providing them with the tools they need for a great school year.

For more than a decade, the Fill the Bus school supply drive has helped Northwest Arkansas children get a head start on the school year. Investing in our children today provides the path to a brighter tomorrow and a chance for every child to succeed.

Watch this page for 2023 volunteer sign up links.

 

12,000+

Fill the Bus raised enough supplies to impact more than 12,000 students, ensuring they had the supplies they needed to start the school year off right.

 

13 School Districts

Supplies were distributed to 13 school districts in Northwest Arkansas:

Bentonville • Decatur • Farmington • Fayetteville • Gravette • Huntsville • Lincoln • Pea Ridge • Prairie Grove • Rogers • Siloam Springs • Springdale • West Fork

$554,400

Estimated value of supplies donated across all 13 school districts was $554,400.

 

 FAQ.

How can my child get school supplies?

If your child(ren) are in need of school supplies please contact your school nurse and/or school counselors.

Where do the supplies go?

Supplies collected from the buses during Fill the Bus weekend will go directly to school districts – distributed by school counselors, nurses and other personnel. Supplies collected through corporate drives will be directed to help rural school districts.

How do I sign up to volunteer?

Volunteer sign ups will be posted in early July.

 

I can't participate in the actual event, but I would like to host a school supplies drive. How should I do that?

Email Rhonda Bramell at fillthebus@unitedwaynwa.org to request our Fill the Bus toolkit to host a school supply drive at your office.

What stores are participating this year?

Washington and Benton County Supercenter locations only.

 

Which supplies are most needed?
Older kid supplies! Most people think about crayons and glue for little kids but do not purchase supplies for older students. Backpacks, loose leaf paper, folders with brads, 3 ring binders, highlighters, scissors, hand sanitizer, storage bags, tissues, etc. Lists of needed items will be provided at the Walmart locations during the event.
I'm REALLY passionate about helping kids start school with everything they need. How can I go above and beyond to help out?
Older student supplies! Most people think about crayons and glue for younger children but do not purchase supplies for older students. Backpacks, loose leaf paper, folders with brads, three ring binders, highlighters, scissors, etc.