Each year generous Frederick County businesses and citizens help students start school with the necessary supplies that some families cannot provide. This year is no exception, as students will need supplies even if they are learning from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the Frederick County Public Schools and United Way of Frederick County’s Stuff the Bus partnership helped thousands of students, and this year the need is even greater.
The twelfth annual Stuff the Bus school-supply drive ends Sunday, August 2, and has added a virtual option for easier participation. To order school supplies online to donate from the list for Frederick County Public Schools’ students, visit www.roonga.com/stuffthebusfc. It’s also possible to make a monetary donation and to host a virtual drive. Find out how at www.unitedwayfrederick.org/stuffthebus. Drop-off locations and a list of supplies needed are also posted there for those who prefer to donate supplies in person.
Distribution of school supplies will take place in multiple locations throughout the county, made possible by numerous community partnerships. Alphabetically, by high school (and serving students from middle and elementary schools in the high school attendance area), distribution is planned as follows.
Brunswick, Frederick, Gov. Thomas Johnson, Tuscarora and Walkersville : After Monday August 17, parents may call their child’s school or visit the school’s website for school-supply assistance information
Catoctin: Tuesday, August 18, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Graceham Moravian Church, 8231-A Rocky Ridge Road, Thurmont
Linganore, Oakdale and Urbana: Parents should email allsodifferent@gmail.com for times, dates and directions
Middletown: By Friday, August 7, parents should call 301-371-3119 to pre-register to pick up supplies on Thursday, August 13, 3-6 p.m. at the Middletown Fire Company Activities Building, 1 Fireman's Lane.
Among the many community partners assisting with school-supplies distribution and more are the Brunswick Ecumenical Assistance Committee on Needs (BEACON), the Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs (RCEHN) serving the Frederick-area schools, Middletown Valley People Helping People, and the Glade Family Community Services serving Walkersville. Last year in the City of Frederick distribution to over 1,700 students was made possible with support from the Frederick County Bar Association, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Stake of Frederick County, the RCEHN, the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek and numerous businesses, churches, and local non-profit groups.
For the past 25 years, the FCPS Community Agency School Services (CASS) program has partnered with many countywide community groups in organizing school-supply support for students. After 9-11, CASS expanded program’s reach, initiating a partnership with the United Way of Frederick County for the Stuff the Bus campaign. As countywide partners work to meet the needs of their individual communities, they benefit from additional supplies collected through the Stuff the Bus project.