Stuffing the Bus: Franklin County United Way Gives Back

              It was a morning filled with generosity and community spirit as United Way hosted its annual Stuff the Bus event just outside Walmart earlier this month. On July 19th, between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., shoppers were invited to pick up a few extra school supplies during their trip—and as they walked back to their cars, many paused to drop off donations, offering support and encouragement to local students preparing for a fresh start this school year.

              United Way board members and volunteers greeted shoppers as they entered the store, offering a list of suggested supplies to purchase and give back to the local schools and students.  The list recommended items such as backpacks, notebooks, crayons, pencils, erasers, glue sticks, rulers, and other typical items that are found on a yearly school supplies list.  A wish list was also provided to assist local teachers with classroom needs and included items like tissues, paper towels, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and Ziploc bags. 

The school bus that was packed with school supplies during the annual Stuff the Bus event, hosted by United Way, held earlier this month in the Walmart Parking lot.

              Executive Director Steve Kirby of the Franklin County United Way beamed with pride as he spoke about the cause and the incredible volunteers who helped bring it to life. For nearly 16 years, Stuff the Bus has been more than just a back-to-school tradition—it’s become a reflection of the community’s generosity and heart. Last year alone, the people of Franklin County donated more than 5,900 school supply items.

              “What we’re doing is collecting school supplies that will be sorted out and then distributed to all of the schools in Franklin County.”, stated Kirby.  “Everything we raise here today is going back into the schools.”

              Kirby said that the school system volunteers to bring the bus to the Walmart parking lot, and the school supplies are sorted at Riva Lake Baptist Church.  After the supplies are sorted, they are then distributed to the schools.

United Way board members and volunteers accept donations from a community member during their annual Stuff the Bus event, held at Walmart parking lot earlier this month.

              While many generous community members—from volunteers to donors—continue to make the Stuff the Bus initiative possible, Kirby acknowledged that organizing the event has grown more challenging in recent years. Whether due to economic pressures or shifting needs, the effort to fill the bus with supplies requires more hands and heart than ever before.

              “We appreciate all of the donations.”, stated Kirby.  “It’s getting tougher every year.  It gets harder.  People need to pay bills or buy things to donate, I understand that they have to pay bills.  So, we’ve seen things go down.”

              The executive director did express special appreciation for Nissan, who heavily donates to the cause each year. 

              “I want to thank Nissan.”, said Kirby.  “Nissan is a huge donor.  They will bring a van full of supplies over here, and their employees help out with things.  It’s really good to have them in the community.”

              Kirby also showed deep appreciation for the board members of United Way. 

              “I appreciate all of the board members.  They all give their time to do this.”, he said.  “Some of their family members are even here.  Most of them will be here throughout the day.”

United Way board members and volunteers hand out fliers with suggestions on school supplies that the community can purchase and donate back to the local schools.

              For community members who wished to support the cause but hadn’t purchased school supplies, United Way offered the option to make monetary donations. These contributions were then used by board members to buy additional supplies, which were added to the bus for sorting and eventual distribution.

              United Way has a formula they use when distributing to the schools, which is according to how many students are enrolled in each school.  Kirby stated that United Way also provides funding to partnering agencies throughout the year, such as Good Samaritan and the Senior Citizens Center.  Each year they raise money and then distribute it back to the community.  Again, those funds have seen a decline in the last few years. 

              “At one time, we were giving out over $200,000.00, and now it’s just over $100,000.00.”, stated Kirby.  “We need some corporate sponsorship.  I would love to have a country music person do a benefit concert sometime.  We just need help, because the donations are going down.  And everybody is in the same situation.”

              Some of the United Way Community Partners, who partner with United Way to invest back into the community, include Highpoint Health with Ascension Saint Thomas, Blue Front Drugs, and Moore-Cortner Funeral Home. 

              Community Gold Partners of United Way include A-1 Chimney Specialist, Ascend Federal Credit Union, Citizens Community Bank, Citizens Tri-County Bank, First Vision Bank, Hall Furniture, Middle TN Respiratory, Russell Barnett Automotive, Southern TN Endodontics, V. R. Williams and Co., Winchester Family Dentistry, Twin Creeks, and Reliable Rental of Franklin County. 

               As the summer sun begins to fade, United Way of Franklin County wrapped up its annual Stuff the Bus event with an outpouring of community support. Residents donated supplies and essential classroom items, each contribution a reminder that collective compassion can shape brighter beginnings. With the new school year on the horizon, students and teachers alike will walk through their doors with some of the tools they need—and the reassurance that their community stands behind them.