Every August, thousands of students in the Kent School District head back to classrooms without the basic supplies they need. Backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and folders are not optional — teachers require them, and students without them start the year behind. A back to school drive is one of the most direct ways a community can close that gap, and the Kent Schools Foundation runs one of the largest in South King County.
If you are searching for "back to school drive," you are likely a business owner, community leader, or parent who wants to organize a supply collection, participate in an existing drive, or find out how to get involved. This guide explains how back to school drives work, what to collect, how to organize one, and how the Kent Schools Foundation's Fill the Bus program serves over 26,000 students across 39 schools.
What a back to school drive is
A back to school drive is a community-organized effort to collect new school supplies for students whose families cannot afford them. The format is simple: businesses, community groups, and individuals collect supplies over a set period, and a coordinating organization sorts and distributes them to schools before the academic year begins.
The Kent Schools Foundation runs the Fill the Bus drive every summer. The name comes from the visual centerpiece of the campaign — a school bus parked at community events and business locations where donors fill it with backpacks, notebooks, and other essentials. The collected supplies are sorted by volunteer teams and distributed to all 39 schools in the Kent School District, reaching students from Kent, Covington, Maple Valley, and the surrounding areas.
What to collect for a school supply drive
If you are organizing a collection bin at your business or community group, these are the items teachers and schools request most:
- Backpacks. The single most needed item. A sturdy backpack lasts the whole year and costs $15-$30.
- Notebooks and composition books. Lined, wide-ruled, and spiral-bound in multiple subjects.
- Writing supplies. Pencils, pens (blue and black), markers, and colored pencils.
- Folders and binders. Two-pocket folders and 1-inch or 2-inch binders.
- Art supplies. Crayons, washable markers, scissors, and glue sticks.
- Miscellaneous. Earbuds, highlighters, index cards, and pencil pouches.
Cash donations are equally important. The Kent Schools Foundation uses financial contributions to purchase supplies in bulk at discounted prices, which means a $25 cash donation can buy more supplies than $25 worth of individual retail items. Every dollar goes directly toward ensuring students start the year prepared. You can support the foundation with a one-time or monthly gift.
How to organize a back to school drive at your business
If you want to run a supply collection at your workplace, here is a step-by-step approach:
- Contact the Kent Schools Foundation. Reach out at info@kentschoolsfoundation.org or 253-235-3172 to let them know you want to participate. They can provide collection bins, promotional materials, and a list of most-needed items.
- Set up a collection point. Place a labeled bin in a high-traffic area — a lobby, break room, or entrance. Post a sign listing the most-needed supplies.
- Promote the drive. Share the drive in company emails, on social media, and in team meetings. Set a goal (for example, "100 backpacks by August 15") to create momentum.
- Collect and deliver. At the end of the collection period, deliver the supplies to the Kent Schools Foundation or arrange for pickup. The foundation handles sorting and distribution to schools.
- Make a financial match. Many businesses match the value of collected supplies with a cash donation, doubling the impact.
How the Fill the Bus program works
The Fill the Bus drive follows a structured timeline each year:
- June-July. The Kent Schools Foundation announces the drive and recruits business partners and community collection points.
- July-August. Collection events take place at community gatherings, business locations, and the Fill the Bus bus itself, which appears at events across Kent.
- Mid-August. Volunteer teams sort collected supplies by category and school. Supplies are bundled and delivered to each of the 39 schools in the Kent School District.
- Late August. School family resource liaisons distribute supplies to students who need them before the first day of school.
In 2025, the Kent Schools Foundation awarded $98,000 in grants to 162 classroom projects across all 39 schools. The Fill the Bus drive is one of the foundation's most visible community programs, and it is one of the most direct ways families can access free supplies for their children. For families who need supplies, our free school supplies guide explains where to turn.
Other ways to support Kent schools
A back to school drive is just one way to make a difference. The Kent Schools Foundation offers multiple pathways for community involvement:
- Classroom grants. Teachers apply for grants to fund innovative classroom projects. Our classroom grants guide explains how the program works and how teachers can apply.
- Scholarships. The foundation awards scholarships to Kent School District graduates. See our scholarships guide for eligibility and application details.
- Volunteering. From tutoring to event support, volunteers power the foundation's work. Our volunteer opportunities guide covers how to sign up.
- Business partnerships. Local businesses can sponsor programs, match employee donations, or host events. Visit our support page for partnership options.
Get involved
Whether you want to organize a supply collection at your business, volunteer during the Fill the Bus drive, or make a financial contribution, the Kent Schools Foundation makes it easy to get involved. Call 253-235-3172 or email info@kentschoolsfoundation.org to learn about current opportunities, or support the foundation with a one-time or monthly gift. Every contribution — whether a backpack, a cash donation, or a volunteer shift — directly helps a Kent student start the school year ready to learn.