For a kid walking into their first day of school, a backpack is more than just a backpack.
What’s inside—or what’s missing—can decide whether a student feels prepared or left behind as the school year begins.
“It’s a confidence booster, it’s self-esteem, it’s a sign that somebody cares,” said Melissa Kinsey of the Children’s Restoration Network, an organization that we partnered with to distribute supplies to more than 100 partners working with homeless and foster youth.
United Way and WSB-TV partnered to Stuff the Bus this July, both at physical “bus stop” drop-off locations and through our online campaign to collect school supply donations. Because of your generosity, we had enough notebooks, pencils, markers, and glue sticks to stuff 7,200 bookbags and collect supplies for an additional 14,000 students in need.
On July 26, United Way of Greater Atlanta staff members volunteered across eight school supply drop off locations to collect supplies and sort them out for students to be ready to begin their school year equipped and confident.
“It was fabulous to be around people who had a passion to serve and to be able to do some great things for kids who just want to be able to start school ready,” said Milton Little, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Atlanta. “There were people here with stories of kids they know, who didn’t have pencils and notebooks to start school. Some of them were those kids.”
The bookbag on a student’s back as they step onto the bus may set the tone, but we’re committed to helping students far beyond that first day of school.
Through literacy initiatives, teacher professional development, and even access to food, shelter, and transportation outside of school, we help students become stronger learners, readers, and leaders.
>> Learn More about our Strong Learners Programs
Will you partner with us to continue the school year strong? Your donation can help make sure that nothing—from backpacks to systemic barriers—can stand in the way of a student’s success.