As summer draws to a close and students prepare to head back to the classroom, we are spotlighting area nonprofit organizations that are stepping up to ensure every child has the tools and support they need for a successful school year.
According to the United Way of Northeast Florida, nearly 40% of households face challenges in affording necessities, with over a third of residents living in or near poverty. From providing school supplies to offering mentorship programs, these organizations are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children in our community.
They can’t do it alone, however. As the new school year approaches, these nonprofits are calling on volunteers and donors to help meet the increasing demand for their services. Whether you have a few hours to spare or can contribute school supplies, these organizations are looking for your support to help children thrive academically and emotionally in the year ahead. Here’s a closer look at what these groups are offering and how you can get involved.
Stuff the Bus
United Way of Northeast Florida, Impact Clay, Clay Education Fund, and First Coast News teamed up again for the annual Stuff the Bus campaign in Duval and Clay counties. This initiative helps provide essential supplies to local classrooms, teachers, and students in need. Duval County efforts benefit eight Full Service Schools Family Resource Centers, supporting 151 schools and more than 100,000 students. In Clay County, the program supports 47 schools and over 40,000 students. The Duval County event takes place on Friday, Aug. 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Markets at Town Center, although monetary donations will be accepted until Sept. 30.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida serve more than 5,200 youth daily across 59 clubs in five counties, including Alachua, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns. For more than 60 years, the nonprofit has provided a safe, supportive environment with trained mentors and evidence-based programs focused on character development, education, arts, health and sports. Programs include after-school and summer activities, STEM/robotics, CareerLaunch, Passport to Manhood, Smart Girls, Triple Play and outdoor camps like McKenzie’s Deep Pond.
The organization is dedicated to helping youth, especially those facing adversity, become responsible and caring citizens, graduate on time, and have a clear path for their future.
“The Boys and Girls Club has been a part of my family for over 10 years, offering a safe, fun, and supportive space year-round,” said Toshaina Major. “Programs like Tipping the Scale, Triple Play, Smart Girls, and Passport to Manhood have impacted each of my children in unique ways. My son now dreams of a medical career because of the Club. As a former Club kid myself, it’s rewarding to see my children experience the same life-changing opportunities I once did.”
BGCNF collects school supplies, including pencils, pens, highlighters, crayons, markers, notebooks, glue sticks, backpacks, lunchboxes, hand sanitizer, tissues, personal hygiene items, and more.
Family Support Services of North Florida
When a child or family faces a crisis, Family Support Services of North Florida is there to help, offering essential resources, education, and support, all with care, empathy, and understanding. As the leading child welfare agency in Duval and Nassau counties, it collaborates with community organizations to improve family circumstances and outcomes. It provides safe homes for abused or neglected children and teens through foster care, and works to find forever families for children through adoption. Family Support Services offers year-round assistance to foster families and youth, including its annual back-to-school program.
Child Guidance Center
Each year, the Child Guidance Center sponsors the William G. Lockwood Memorial Fund Back-to-School Supply Drive, providing students with bags filled with essential school supplies. Many children in need come to the Center without the means to obtain these items, which can lead to embarrassment, low self-esteem and a lack of motivation in school. By supplying these materials, the organization helps boost attendance, academic performance, and self-confidence.
Items needed include glue sticks, pencils, colored pencils, markers, watercolor paint, crayons, loose-leaf paper, rulers, pocket folders, notebooks, three-ring binders and pens. Donations of items with business logos are also welcome. Please drop off all items by Aug. 8 at the Child Guidance Center office at 5776 St. Augustine Road. If you prefer to make a monetary donation, a gift of $50 can provide a backpack with supplies for four elementary or middle school students or seven high school students.
Blessings in a Backpack
Blessings in a Backpack provides weekend food support to 5,100 kids across Duval, Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns counties in 44 schools. The program serves children who qualify for free or reduced lunch and collaborates with school counselors to identify needs. Each week, participating schools receive food packs filled with nutritious, easy-to-eat items, such as whole-grain crackers and reduced-sugar cereal. For many children who are food insecure, the only healthy meals they have access to are on weekdays, during the school year.
Blessings in a Backpack ensures these children continue to be nourished on the weekends when they are away from school. When children attend school without sufficient food, it affects their ability to focus, retain information, and succeed academically. Ensuring that children have access to the necessary nourishment is crucial for their educational development and overall well-being.
In addition to food, each pack includes a positive notecard, and the program relies on volunteers to help create them. It costs $175 to support one child for an entire school year.
Stocking Backpacks, Fueling Futures
Looking for ways to support these organizations and help make the first day of school even brighter for Duval County students? Here’s information on how you can help:
- Stuff the Bus: To donate, text “classrooms25” to 30306, or visit uwnefl.galaxydigital.com/stuff-the-bus-2025/ to give online.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida: For inquiries about school supplies, please contact Natasha Skipper at [email protected] and visit www.bgcnf.org/give to make a donation online.
- Family Support Services of North Florida: To contribute this year, visit fssjax.org/backtoschool to donate directly through their wish list or back-to-school fund. For updates on volunteer opportunities, email [email protected] to subscribe to their community newsletter.
- Child Guidance Center: More information about the William G. Lockwood Memorial Fund Back-to-School Supply Drive can be found at cgcjax.org/get-involved/back-to-school/
- Blessings in a Backpack: More details about donating or getting involved are available at firstcoast.blessingsinabackpack.org.
