FORT WAYNE, Ind. – With the sweltering days of summer counting down to the first school bell, one yellow bus in a Walmart parking lot is delivering more than just nostalgia — it’s delivering hope.
This weekend, the Salvation Army of Allen County is inviting Fort Wayne residents to “Stuff the Bus,” its high-visibility donation drive aimed at collecting school supplies for local families struggling to afford back-to-school basics. The event is part of the broader ‘Tools for School’ campaign, which has quietly become one of the region’s most vital safety nets for working-class parents.
And this year, the need is sharper than ever.
“There are a lot of families out there living paycheck to paycheck,” said Timothy Smith, the Salvation Army’s Social Services Director. “When you’ve got that kind of income, any added expense — like school supplies — can really break the budget.”
Where and When: ‘Stuff the Bus’ Details
The donation drive is taking place at the Walmart on Lima Road:
-
📍 Saturday, July 19
-
📍 Monday, July 21
⏰ 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days
A big yellow school bus will be parked outside, where volunteers will greet shoppers and community members with smiles — and plenty of bins for supplies.
Those who can’t make it in person aren’t left out: the Salvation Army has created online registries through Amazon and Walmart, allowing donors to select items with just a few clicks.
A Legacy of Support
The ‘Tools for School’ program began in 2004, but its relevance has only grown. It provides children from low-income households with a full kit of school essentials — everything from notebooks and folders to backpacks and glue sticks.
In 2024 alone, the program served over 1,200 students across Allen County. This year, organizers say they expect to exceed that number.
What to Donate
A wide range of items is needed to ensure every child receives the basics:
Most Requested School Supplies:
-
✏️ Pencils and erasers
-
📓 Spiral notebooks and folders
-
✂️ Scissors and glue sticks
-
📏 Rulers
-
🖍️ Crayons, markers, and colored pencils
-
🎒 Backpacks (all sizes)
-
📐 Binders and index cards
-
🖊️ Pens and highlighters
A full, updated supply list is available on the Salvation Army of Allen County’s website
.
Table: Donation Timeline & Locations
| Event | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stuff the Bus – Day 1 | Saturday, July 19 | 10 AM – 6 PM | Walmart, Lima Road |
| Stuff the Bus – Day 2 | Monday, July 21 | 10 AM – 6 PM | Walmart, Lima Road |
| General Collections | Through July 22 | Store hours vary | Public bins (various) |
Donation bins have also been placed at key sites throughout Fort Wayne, including community centers, churches, and select grocery stores.
Behind the Need: “It’s Not Just Notebooks”
Though notebooks and pencils may seem minor, they’re often part of a larger conversation about dignity and equity.
“It’s not just about having school supplies,” Smith said. “It’s about showing kids that their community cares about them — that they matter.”
Fort Wayne mom Angela Rios, who received school supplies through the program last year, said the assistance allowed her to focus on her son’s emotional preparation instead of his backpack.
“He didn’t walk into school embarrassed or different from the other kids,” Rios shared. “He walked in feeling ready.”
Community Support Grows
The campaign’s reach is expanding. This year, several small businesses, churches, and local civic groups have organized their own mini-drives to contribute to the Salvation Army’s pool. Teachers and school administrators have also lent a hand, spreading the word through parent newsletters and social media.
And as inflation continues to affect food and housing costs, many middle-income families — once donors themselves — are now recipients of the very help they used to give.
“These kinds of programs aren’t just safety nets for the very poor anymore,” said Smith. “They’re lifelines for working families who never imagined they’d need help.”
Donations, Dignity, and the First Day of School
The Salvation Army’s ‘Stuff the Bus’ campaign may look like a typical donation drive, but beneath the surface it’s doing far more — restoring confidence, leveling the playing field, and keeping hope alive for Fort Wayne families.
By the time the first school bell rings this fall, thousands of local students will walk into class with everything they need — not because of government programs or policy changes, but because of ordinary neighbors who cared enough to give.
