Fayette County's 'Stuff the Bus' Drive Continues Online — Here's How to Help

If you missed the bus — literally — there's still time to help Lexington students head into the school year with the supplies they need. Fayette County Public Schools and partners are continuing to accept donations online after a drop-off event.

The in-person collection has concluded, according to fcps.net. Donors can still contribute online.

The drive is looking for school supplies such as backpacks, notebooks, markers, folders and other classroom essentials.

"Stuff the Bus" drives run annually across the country, typically in partnership with school districts, United Way chapters, and retailers. In Northwest Florida, United Way of Northwest Florida coordinates the drive across six counties, staging collection points at area Walmart locations. Research cited by the organization puts the average amount teachers spend out of pocket on classroom supplies at more than $750 a year, according to unitedwaynwfl.org.

The scale of need these drives address can be significant. In Santa Cruz County, California — where a separate Stuff the Bus campaign is underway — the local county office of education identified 2,866 students in grades TK-12 as experiencing homelessness during the 2024-25 school year, according to santacruzcoe.org. That campaign is aiming to fill 2,500 backpacks, with each $30 donation funding one.

The first day of school should be a moment of excitement and belonging for every student. For families facing homelessness, housing instability, or other hardships, basic school supplies are one more financial burden.— Dr. Faris Sabbah, Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools

For Fayette County residents, the simplest next step is visiting fcps.net for online donation options.

Why it matters — With school starting soon, this is one of the last chances for Lexington residents to make sure local students have the basic tools they need on day one.

Reported by fcps.net, unitedwaynwfl.org, fox56news.com, santacruzcoe.org