A Fort Wayne school foundation just did something it has never done before, and the community showed up to make it count. The Southwest Allen County Schools Education Foundation launched its very first “Start Smart Drive” this weekend, collecting school supplies and hygiene items to make sure every single student in the district is ready when the new school year begins.
Fort Wayne Community Rallies at Homestead High School
The SACS Education Foundation held its inaugural Start Smart Drive on Saturday, May 10, at Homestead High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Community members were invited to drop off donations from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Homestead High School served as the central drop-off point for the entire SACS district. It was a deliberate choice, given that the school sits at the heart of the southwest Allen County community.
Residents came together to give back in a way that directly reaches children in their own neighborhood. That kind of local, hands-on giving is exactly what makes drives like this so meaningful for the families who benefit from them.
School Supplies and Hygiene Items Both on the List
The foundation set out to fill an entire school bus and make sure every SACS student from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade has access to resources needed to start the 2026-2027 school year.
Both school supplies and hygiene products were collected during the drive. That distinction matters more than most people realize.
Ensuring students have appropriate supplies helps schools support attendance, health, confidence, and academic success. When a child walks into class without the basics, it shows, and it affects how they learn.
Here is a look at the types of items most commonly needed for school drives like this one:
- Notebooks, pencils, pens, and folders
- Backpacks and three-ring binders
- Deodorant, toothbrushes, and toothpaste
- Soap, shampoo, and feminine hygiene products
- Scissors, colored pencils, and markers
These are not luxury items. For many students, these are the tools that get them through the school day with their dignity intact.
A Historic First for the SACS District
What makes this drive truly stand out is the fact that it had never been done before in the district’s history.
“This is the first time we’ve done any sort of supply drive for students and families in the district, so we’re hoping this will be the first of sort of many years, so that we can continue to support our community,” said SACS Education Foundation board member Karen Parker.
Those words carry real weight. The foundation is not treating this as a one-time event. They are building something meant to grow and last.
Established in 1999, the Southwest Allen County Schools Education Foundation cultivates and provides financial and general support for Southwest Allen County Schools, K-12. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors made up of parents and professional representatives in the community.
“We’re hoping this will be the first of many years, so that we can continue to support our community.” — Karen Parker, SACS Education Foundation Board Member
The foundation’s current 2025-2026 initiatives include The Impact Grant, Superstar Awards, Taste of Homestead, Under the Lights, All Kids Bike, and The Paddle Classic. The Start Smart Drive now joins that growing list of programs aimed at making a real difference for SACS students and families.
Donations Still Open After the Drive
Missing Saturday’s event does not mean missing the chance to help. Foundation leaders say they hope to make the drive an annual tradition to continue supporting families across the district, and donations will continue to be accepted through the foundation.
Anyone who wants to contribute can still reach the SACS Education Foundation through their official website at sacseducationfoundation.org.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Foundation is able to support a variety of programs that benefit its schools and students, with contributions funding classroom supplies, enrichment activities, and grants that enhance learning experiences.
The SACS district serves students across multiple campuses including Aboite Elementary, Covington Elementary, Deer Ridge Elementary, Haverhill Elementary, Lafayette Meadows Elementary, Whispering Meadows Elementary, Summit Middle School, Woodside Middle School, and Homestead High School. That is a lot of young people who benefit when their community chooses to show up.
A school bus filled with pencils, soap, and backpacks may sound like a small thing, but for a child who walks into school prepared and ready, it can be the difference between a year of struggle and a year of growth. The SACS Education Foundation just showed Fort Wayne what it looks like to invest in every child, not just the ones who have everything they need. If you can give even a little, now is a great time to do it. Share this story with a friend or neighbor who may want to help, and let the Fort Wayne community know that the drive to support its students is far from over.
