Each year, thousands of Howard County children don’t have the school supplies they need to succeed during the school year. To help these students prepare for a new year of learning and growing, we invite you to support Howard County’s Stuff the Bus school supply drive during Maryland’s tax-free week.
This “Dr. Tim Tooten Stuff the Bus School Supplies Drive” is hosted in Howard County by Bright Minds Foundation in partnership with Prepare for Success, HCPSS, WBAL (WBAL-TV, 98Rock, and WBAL NewsRadio), and UNO Pizzeria and Grill in Ellicott City. The event, named in honor of WBAL-TV’s longtime education reporter who retired in 2023 and who passed away in February, supports Stuff the Bus events several Maryland public school districts by providing the tools students need to enhance their learning experience.
Friday August 15, 2025, 3-7pm
UNO Pizzeria & Grill
Long Gate Shopping Center
4470 Long Gate Parkway, Ellicott City, MD 21043
HOW TO CONTRIBUTE:
DONATE: Donate supplies at the school bus parked right outside UNO Pizzeria & Grill on August 15. Bright Minds is also accepting monetary donations for this drive here: Stuff the Bus donations.
Interesting in donating but can’t make this event? You can drop off new school supplies through August 18 at the following Prepare for Success collection boxes: all Howard County libraries, Columbia village center offices, Howard County Rec & Parks Arthur & Carter Centers, and CA recreation facilities. You may also view the Prepare for Success Amazon Wishlist.
VOLUNTEER: We need volunteers to help with this event! This event is ideal for high school and youth volunteers! Learn more and sign up at: Stuff the Bus Volunteer. Individuals and groups of adult or youth volunteers are welcome! Bright Minds Foundation and Prepare for Success representatives are coordinating this event. Contact Jennifer Van Kirk at Bright Minds Foundation at 410-313-8992 if you have any questions about volunteering.
School supplies needed:
Backpack
Pencil case (fabric or plastic)
Pencils
Colored pencils – 12 pack
Crayons – 24 pack
Markers – 10 count
Highlighters
Pens (blue or black)
Scissors – blunt tip
Glue sticks
Erasers
Ruler
Pencil sharpener
Construction paper
Composition notebooks – wide ruled
Spiral notebooks (wide or college ruled)
Loose leaf filler paper (college)
Plastic pocket folders
Index cards
2” binders
Tissues
Hand sanitizer
About Bright Minds Foundation and Prepare for Success
As the Howard County public schools education foundation, Bright Minds Foundation helps ensure Howard County students have the support, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed. Prepare for Success of Howard County ensures every Howard County student in need of school supplies receives a backpack filled with school supplies to help them be successful throughout their academic career.
