United Way of the CSRA’s 2025 Stuff the Bus school supply drive collected 34,273 items valued at $141,480, a 23% increase over last year’s total.
The supplies will be distributed to students in Richmond, Columbia, Burke and Screven counties to help them start the school year prepared, according to a press release from United Way of the CSRA.
Twenty-eight local companies hosted drives, while 16 businesses provided volunteers for collection events in Augusta and Waynesboro.
In total, 71 volunteers contributed 176 hours to sort, pack and distribute the donations, according to a press release from United Way of the CSRA.
“Equipped students are empowered students,” said Brittany Burnett, president and CEO of United Way of the CSRA. “Thanks to our community’s generosity, thousands of children are walking into class prepared to learn and thrive.”
The effort comes as families face slightly lower back-to-school budgets. According to the National Retail Federation, K–12 families planned to spend an average of $858.07 this year, down from $874.68 in 2024, even as total national spending is expected to reach $39.4 billion.
Local drives like Stuff the Bus help ensure every student has the essential supplies for academic success, according to a press release from the United Way of the CSRA.
