FILL THE BUS
FILL THE BUS
United Way of Northwest Arkansas and Walmart partnered to “Fill the Bus” in Northwest Arkansas on August 4 and 5, 2017.
In partnership with Walmart, Fill the Bus is an initiative that provides a step out of poverty for children in Northwest Arkansas. ill the Bus school supply drive in partnership with ten area Walmart Supercenters and supplies entrusted to 16 area school districts. This program supports children in our community by helping them start school with confidence and gives them the literal tools they need to succeed.
United Way staff and volunteers spent the weekend filling the bus with school supplies at all the Walmart Supercenters in Benton, Madison, and Washington counties in Arkansas and McDonald County in Missouri. Through their efforts and the generous hearts of the NWA community.
Interested in running a Company School Supply Drive, Volunteering or serving on the Planning Committee contact fillthebus@unitedwaynwa.org
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
500+
With you help, we collected over 500 boxes of supplies or School Districts in Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri
Quote from Bentonville Schools on Impact of FTB:
“The donations we received truly left us speechless! The generosity of our community members and success of the drive was truly amazing. I believe this was the largest drive yet. I greatly appreciate everyone at the United Way and the continued support of our student, schools, and community!”
20+
Over 20 companies hosted corporate drives for 11 nonprofit organizations
IMPACT
“The Fill the Bus program has helped alleviated nervousness and panic in not only our students but parents and teachers. On average, 25% of our district is on free and reduced lunch, so for them to not have to worry about where they will get their supplies is a huge help. The supplies donated not only help schools in our district, but we are able to pass on supplies to therapeutic learning organizations like the Sunshine School and Development Center and Ozark Guidance. This program continues to leave us speechless, and it is successful because of the generosity of the community members.”
– Amanda Musick, Director of Student Services
Bentonville Public Schools
“Over 80% of our student population are at poverty level or below. Transportation is a great struggle for these families and local shopping resources are limited. The quantity and the delivery of these supplies to our location were more than beneficial.”
– Kris Davis, Liaison for Homeless
Decatur School District
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can my child get school supplies?
If your child(ren) are in need of school supplies please call our helpline, 2-1-1, to find out more information.
Where do the supplies go?
Directly to school districts – distributed by school counselors, nurses, and other personnel. Company supply drives are being directed to help rural school districts who have high free/reduced meals percentages.
Can I make a donation to go directly towards purchasing school supplies?
YES! You can click the donate now button on this page, or you can donate cash or gift cards at bus locations during the event.
How do I sign up to volunteer?
To register as a volunteer click the link below:
I can’t participate during the actual event but I would like to host a school supply drive. How should I do that?
Email Elisabeth Ward at eward@unitedwaynwa.org to request our Fill the Bus toolkit to host a school supply drive at your office.
What stores are participating this year?
– 406 S. Walton Blvd, Bentonville
– 3919 N. Mall Avenue, Fayetteville
– 2875 W. Martin Luther King Blvd, Fayetteville
– 121 Lee Street, Huntsville
– 4208 Pleasant Crossing Blvd, Rogers
– 2110 W. Walnut Street, Rogers
– 2901 Highway 412, Siloam Springs
– 4870 Elm Springs Road, Springdale
– 2004 S. Pleasant Street, Springdale
– 100 Commercial Lane, Pineville, Missouri
What 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, 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?
Become a bus champion or get your office involved in a school supply drive that will be connected with a rural school district to provide supplies for underserved children in NWA. Contact eward@unitedwaynwa.org for more information.