Stuff the Bus

United Way of Hernando County's 14^th Annual Stuff the Bus event may have looked different this year due to COVID-19, but as always, the community came together to support local classrooms. The online event lasted from July 1st until August 7th, with approximately 4,195 lbs. being collected between the virtual Roonga.com donations and the supplies collected from Hernando Publix stores. Items included 2,434 glue sticks, 2,331 packs of pencils, and 2,215 notebooks, among thousands of others.

The event quickly and effectively shifted to a virtual platform on Roonga.com, where donors could shop for school supplies safely from their homes and have them delivered right to United Way’s door. All 8 Hernando Publix stores also participated with Stuff the Bus by hosting a drop box to collect school supplies for those who still wished to shop in-person. Thank you to the Hernando County Transportation Department for lending two buses and a helping hand to load, unload, and help deliver supplies to all 23 Hernando schools.

Teachers and school faculty were thrilled to receive boxes of items for their supply closets. The items will be distributed by schools administration throughout the year to where they are needed the most, thereby providing the necessary tools that students need to succeed.

Thank you to our Partners in Education, Publix Super Markets for coordinating drop-off boxes for in-person donation, and for dropping off the collected supplies to the United Way office. A special thank you goes to Hernando County residents for continuing to LIVE UNITED by supporting local classrooms during an uncertain time.

Helping Our Teachers Help Our Students

In 2007, United Way of Hernando County brought on the Annual Stuff the Bus program. For one weekend during the Summer, United Way of Hernando County, along with the Hernando County Transportation Department, places multiple buses throughout the community at participating locations. These school buses are manned with dedicated teachers and volunteers welcoming donated school supplies for Hernando County classrooms. This event brings much needed supplies to teachers and their students.

In 2019, UWHC provided over 150 classrooms with FREE school supplies to service Hernando County students. Part of United Way's philosophy is "Who knows better than teachers about classroom needs?" Stuff the Bus is an important component in giving teachers the tools needed to help children succeed in education!

Check out pictures from this year's STB event on United Way's facebook!

12th Annual Stuff the Bus | United Way of Hernando County from Nature Coast.TV on Vimeo.