Bowling Green, July 28, 2025
News Summary
Bowling Green witnessed an incredible turnout during the 21st annual Stuff The Bus event, which successfully collected over 100,000 school supply items for local students in need. Held at the Crossroads IGA, volunteers aimed to level the educational playing field by providing essential supplies. The initiative has garnered significant community support and partnerships, ensuring that local students can start the school year fully equipped, showcasing the city’s commitment to helping those in need.
Bowling Green Hosts Record-Breaking 21st Annual Stuff The Bus Event
The city of Bowling Green witnessed an overwhelming response during the 21st annual Stuff The Bus event, which took place from July 24 to July 27, 2025. Set up at the Crossroads IGA on Scottsville Road, this year’s initiative saw a record number of school supplies collected for local students in need, surpassing the initial goals.
The event was founded by Tony Rose, host of the morning show on D93, with the mission of “creating a level playing field for all kids on the first day of school.” The goal for the 2025 donation drive was to gather 100,000 supply items along with achieving a volunteer goal of 100 hours.
Throughout the event, donated items included essential school supplies such as crayons, markers, pencils, backpacks, calculators, tech gear, and even sports equipment. As the event progressed, two school buses from Bowling Green Independent Schools and Warren County Public Schools were filled nearly to capacity by mid-morning on Saturday, July 26.
Partners for this year’s Stuff The Bus included Houchens Food Group, Logan Aluminum, and the Mint Gaming Hall. Notably, the Mint Gaming Hall contributed over $7,200 to the initiative during the drive, highlighting its commitment to community support. The vice presidents and general managers of the Mint Gaming Hall emphasized the importance of corporate responsibility in supporting local causes.
Volunteers played a crucial role in sorting and organizing donated materials, including former Stuff The Bus board member Stacey Gish, who traveled from Lexington to assist with the initiative. Members of the board actively participated in ensuring that the supplies were ready for distribution. This year, community support extended beyond volunteers, as the organization operates year-round to manage supply requests and provide up to $5,000 in monthly grants to classrooms for necessary supplies.
The supplies collected during the event will be distributed to local schools over the coming week, ensuring that every student can start the school year equipped with the items they need, irrespective of their background. The successful wrap-up of the 21st year of Stuff The Bus has set a promising precedent for future events, demonstrating the community’s ability to exceed initial expectations and show unity in supporting local students.
Background on Stuff The Bus
Since its inception, Stuff The Bus has aimed to level the educational playing field by supporting underprivileged students with school supplies. The organization not only focuses on the annual event but also provides ongoing assistance to teachers and classrooms throughout the year. Each year, participation continues to grow as community members and businesses rally to support local students, ensuring that no child faces the first day of school unprepared.
Key Accomplishments of the Event
- Record collection of over 100,000 school supply items.
- Community volunteers contributed over 100 hours.
- Two school buses were nearly filled with donations.
- Mint Gaming Hall donated over $7,200.
- Supplies to be distributed to local schools in the following week.
FAQ
What is the Stuff The Bus event?
Stuff The Bus is an annual event aimed at collecting school supplies for local students in need, enabling them to begin the school year prepared and equipped.
How many items were collected this year?
This year, the event exceeded its goal by collecting over 100,000 items during the drive.
Who organizes Stuff The Bus?
Stuff The Bus is organized by local community members, including volunteers and board members who work throughout the year to ensure support for students and teachers.
How are the collected supplies distributed?
The collected supplies are distributed to local schools, ensuring that each student has the necessary items for the school year.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Community Comes Together for Stuff The Bus Event
Bowling Green Gears Up for Back to School Bash Events
Bowling Green Prepares for Back-to-School Events
Severe Storms Devastate Kentucky, Claiming Lives and Causing Destruction
Community Unites for Stuff the Bus Family Fun Run
Bowling Green’s Annual Stuff the Bus 5K Supports Students
Law Enforcement Torch Run Promotes Special Olympics in Bowling Green
Bowling Green Hosts Fundraiser for Storm Relief Fund
25th Annual Great Teddy Bear Run Raises Awareness for Child Abuse
7 Brew Coffee Opens New Location in Bowling Green
Additional Resources
Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER
The BOWLING GREEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBowlingGreen.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bowling Green, Warren County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Corvette Homecoming, International Festival, concerts at SKyPAC, and sports events at Beech Bend Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Museum Bowling Green Area, plus leading businesses in automotive, apparel, and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, Fruit of the Loom, and Med Center Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELexingtonKY.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
