Some of the school supplies loaded into backpacks ready to be given to school children last year during one of the United Way of Johnson County’s Fast Track school supply distributions. Organizers are collecting supplies this month to distribute to more than 1,800 children across the county.

With the start of school approaching, kids all over Johnson County will soon be loading up with notebooks, pencils and crayons for the upcoming year.

They’ll pick out backpacks, load their three-ring binders and pack everything up for the first day of school.

But for families in need throughout the county, even those basics are difficult to obtain. Some kids will be behind before the first day even starts, said Nancy Lohr Plake, executive director of the United Way of Johnson County.

“It’s going to be hard for families right now who have to choose between school supplies and gas,” she said. “I’m hoping that they will choose to go get school supplies from us and save their money for gasoline.”

The United Way is asking for the community’s help in making sure every child’s school year is set up for success. The Fast Track program kicks off this week, as local businesses set up bins to collect school supplies throughout the month.

People also have an opportunity to “Stuff the Bus” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, as United Way volunteers will be set up at Walmart stores in Greenwood, the Center Grove area and Franklin. Donors can pick up a few items as they shop, then drop them off on their way out.

Organizers anticipate serving more than 1,800 children this year, so every donation is needed.

“This provides a great start for students who otherwise would not start school ready to learn,” Plake said. “The school supplies they get at the distribution event allows them to begin the school year out right. It gives everybody an even playing field.”

Volunteers carry backpacks filled with school supplies waiting vehicles last year during one of the United Way of Johnson County’s Fast Track school supply distributions at Custer Baker Intermediate School in Franklin. Organizers are collecting supplies this month to distribute to more than 1,800 children across the county.

Backpacks full of school supplies ready to be given out last year during one of the United Way of Johnson County’s Fast Track school supply distributions at Custer Baker Intermediate School in Franklin. Organizers are collecting supplies this month to distribute to more than 1,800 children across the county.

Volunteer Kea Deppe carries backpacks to a waiting vehicle last year during one of the United Way of Johnson County’s Fast Track school supply distributions at Custer Baker Intermediate School in Franklin. Organizers are collecting supplies this month to distribute to more than 1,800 children across the county.

Backpacks full of school supplies ready to be given out last year during one of the United Way of Johnson County’s Fast Track school supply distributions at Custer Baker Intermediate School in Franklin. Organizers are collecting supplies this month to distribute to more than 1,800 children across the county.

Some of the school supplies loaded into backpacks ready to be given to school children last year during one of the United Way of Johnson County’s Fast Track school supply distributions. Organizers are collecting supplies this month to distribute to more than 1,800 children across the county.

Fast Track has been a mid-summer tradition for the United Way for many years, in an effort to ensure low-income students are well-equipped for school.

The feedback of the program has been positive from both parents and teachers. According to the United Way, 97% of parents who attended Fast Track said it reduced their stress about providing their child supplies for the first day of school.

Among local teachers, 95% said children equipped with needed supplies reduces stress on the first day of school.

Families can also receive guidance and direction to community resources if they have a particular need.

Last year, the United Way distributed supplies to 1,807 kids, and 2,091 were served in the pandemic-stricken year of 2020.

Already this summer, the six county school districts have indicated more than 1.800 students will be taking part, Plake said.

The most needed items include backpacks, three-ring binders, composition notebooks, spiral notebooks, loose leaf paper, scissors, ear buds, yellow highlighters, dry erase markers, glue sticks, colored pencils and large pink erasers.

Thanks to a series of generous donations, United Way is well-stocked on pens, erasers, markers and rulers, Plake said.

“At Stuff the Bus, we’ll have volunteers there starting at 10 a.m. explaining the process, and giving them a slip that has the supplies that we need. Then they can purchase the school supplies and bring them out to us,” she said.

Stuff the Bus is the most visible collection event, but boxes set up around the county also serve as an important way of gathering supplies. People can donate at different City of Franklin facilities, including city hall and the parks department office. The Greenwood Fire Department headquarters and White River Township Fire Department headquarters are also a drop-off points.

All branches of the Johnson County Public Library will be collecting items, as are all branches of Mutual Savings Bank and Johnson County branches of Horizon Bank, Huntington Bank, Crane Credit Union and Lake City Bank.

Baxter YMCA and Grace United Methodist Church, in addition to the United Way offices, are all other donation options, Plake said.

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