Haley Jacobs
•7/18/2026
NAPLES, Fla. (WINK) — The Salvation Army of Collier County spent Saturday collecting school supplies during its annual "Stuff the Bus" drive, encouraging shoppers to help local students start the school year with the tools they need to succeed.
The donation drive was held inside the Walmart on Tamiami Trail East in Naples. While organizers originally planned to collect supplies outside the store, morning rain forced volunteers to move the event indoors. Even with the weather, shoppers continued stopping by to donate backpacks, notebooks, pencils, paper and other classroom essentials.
Captain Miguel Ramos with The Salvation Army said the annual event is about bringing the community together to support children whose families may be struggling with the cost of back-to-school shopping.
"We're dealing with an economy right now where you have struggling parents out there," Ramos said. "As expensive as things are, it's really important to help."
Organizers said they are collecting nearly every type of school supply a student might need, but backpacks remain one of the biggest needs each year.
The supplies collected during the drive will stay in Collier County and be distributed to local students and families in need before the school year begins.
For shopper Elizabeth Garcia, donating was a simple way to give back.
She purchased a backpack and several school supplies, saying she chose items she would have wanted growing up.
The annual drive is part of The Salvation Army's effort to ease the financial burden many families face as they prepare for a new school year. Organizers say that while Collier County is often viewed as an affluent community, there are many working families who still need assistance purchasing basic school supplies.
Although Saturday's "Stuff the Bus" event has ended, there is still an opportunity to help.
The Salvation Army of Collier County will continue accepting new school supply donations through the end of July at its Naples location:
The Salvation Army of Collier County
3180 Estey Ave.
Naples, FL 34104
Requested donations include:
Organizers say every donation helps ensure local students can walk into the classroom prepared and ready to learn.
