United Way of Summit & Medina is collecting classroom materials for its Stuff the Bus school supplies drive. Requested supplies include pencils, crayons, scissors, erasers, folders, glue sticks, rulers, notebooks, calculators, and more.
An estimated 39 percent of Summit County households and 31 percent of Medina County households struggle to afford Ohio’s cost of living, according to a report by Ohio United Way. For families on a tight budget, school supplies can represent a significant expense, both at the start of the school year and after, when it comes time for students to replenish used materials.
To purchase and ship items directly for the supply drive, visit
- Here for Medina County donations, and
- Here for Summit County donations.
To drop off donated supplies in person, visit United Way’s offices at 37 N. High St., Akron, or 23 Public Square, Suite L-1, Medina, during business hours. Donations for Medina students will be accepted through the month of July. Donations for Akron students will be accepted through the month of October.
Items collected for Stuff the Bus will be sorted and packed by volunteers at two events:
- Medina Sort-a-Thon, August 1, for distribution on the first day of school. Visit here to learn more and to register.
- Akron Sort-a-Thon, November 14, for distribution on the first day back from winter break. Visit here to learn more and to register.
“Lacking needed school supplies is one of the many stumbling blocks that can make students fall behind their peers,” said Jim Mullen, president and CEO of United Way of Summit & Medina. “And once students start to fall behind, it becomes harder and harder to catch back up. Stuff the Bus, like our Family Resource Centers and other programs offered by United Way, is designed to help remove non-academic barriers kids face, so that when they are in the classroom, they’re ready to learn.”