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 at two different locations Friday, July 31.
You’re also encouraged to donate directly online with the United Way or text CLASSROOMS26 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 the Jacksonville Public Education Fund which supports thousands of Duval County students.
“There should be zero barriers to learning,” said Tim Thomas, president and general manager of TEGNA Florida. “At First Coast News, we’re proud to live our brand On Your Side by partnering with critical nonprofits that help our community provide essential school supplies for students in need, but also support the incredible work of our teachers. We know the First Coast wants to help, and together, we can ensure that every child—regardless of their background—has the tools and support they need to succeed.”
We’d love to see you donate to Stuff the Bus in Duval County in person on Friday, July 31 at Markets at Town Center from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. We’ll also be in Clay County at the Staples in Orange Park.
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.
FAQ’s HOW TO DONATE:
To donate now: Visit this donation link or text “CLASSROOMS26” to 30306.
Companies, churches and other groups are invited to register as a team to support Stuff the Bus.
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 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, July 31 at The Markets at Town Center in Duval County and 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:
Drop off supplies at one of our Stuff the Bus boxes at these Community First Credit Union locations:
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 – 11200 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
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
Boulevard Crossing – 5617 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Northpoint Branch – 3133 New Berlin Road, Jacksonville, FL 32226
Gate Parkway Branch – 7543 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Beachwalk Branch – 525 Beachwalk Shore Dr. Saint Johns, FL 32259
Murabella Branch – 5360 State Road 16, St. Augustine, FL 32092
Callahan Branch – 542523 US Hwy 1, Callahan, FL 32011
Corporate HQ1 – 637 N. Lee St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Corporate HQ2 –701 W. Adams St, Jacksonville, FL 32204