School Supply Drive

While it feels like summer just began, the new school year is just around the corner! Pretty soon local families will be shopping for new clothes and school supplies. While preparing for a new school year is an exciting time, it can also be a financial burden for many.

Prior to each school year, the Kiwanis Club of Kyle-Buda partners with Hays County ESD #5 and local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Unforgettable Families and Friends, Inc. to collect and distribute school supplies to up to 500 local school children in need. Since 2016, our joint program has provided school supplies to over 5000 students in our area.

In addition, local businesses and community organizations support our campaign, including Kyle Area Senior Zone, Kyle Police Department, Buda Police Department, Buda Fire Department, Suds Deluxe Car Wash, and many more!

How to Support:

You can support by donating school supplies in person or online, or through monetary or gift card donations and sponsorships.

School Supply Collection Locations

Donate school supplies beginning June 21 through July 28th at the following locations:

• Club Pilates – 5581 Kyle Center Drive Unit 103, Kyle, TX 78640
• Club Pilates – 1245 Main Street, Buda, TX 78610
• The Huntington Senior Center – 1255 Firecracker Drive, Buda, TX 78610
• Shear Impressions Salon & Boutique – 209 San Antonio St, Buda, TX 78610
• Orangetheory  – 5940 Kyle Pkwy, Kyle, TX 78640
• Kyle Fire Department Station 1 – 210 W. Moore Street, Kyle, TX 78640
• Kyle Area Senior Zone (KASZ) at Krug Activity Center – 101 Burleson Street, Kyle, TX 78640
• Kyle Police Department – 1110 N. Front Street, Kyle, TX 78640
• Gentlemen’s  Grooming 101 Barbershop – 225 S. Main Street, Kyle, TX 78640
• Hair by Isabel – 225 S. Main Street, Kyle, TX 78640
• Johnny G’s Barber Shop – 970 FM 967, Buda, TX 78610
• Two Blessed Barber Shop – 203 Railroad Rd, Buda, TX 78610
• Buda City Hall (Lobby) – 405 E. Loop Street
• Buda Fire Station #2, 151 FM 2001 (Ring bell at the front door)
• Zoi Market, 200 Main Street, Buda, TX 78610
• Suds Deluxe Car Wash, 18810 I-35, Kyle, TX 78640

Are you a local business in Kyle or Buda and would like to host a collection bin? We would like to have donations collected by July 28th. We can arrange to drop off a collection bin at your convenience and pick up the donations regularly. Email [email protected] to participate.

School supplies can also be donated at local events, including:

• Kyle Market Day booth on Saturday, July 13th between 8am and 1pm
• Touch A Truck Fundraiser with Hays County ECSD #5 at Dollar General (date/time and location TBA)

Follow us on Facebook for more events and updates.

Online School Supply Donations

Donate school supplies via this Amazon Wish list. Items will be shipped to our Kiwanis Club School Supply Drive Committee Chair Debbie Cerda.

Monetary Donations

Donate funds online to Kiwanis Club of Kyle-Buda on our GiveButter page. Please select the dropdown for “School Supplies Drive”. Please note that as a 501(c)(4), funds donated are not tax-deductible at this time.

Please consider a gift card so we may purchase needed items.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation and require a receipt, please contact Unforgettable Families and Friends at [email protected] and copy [email protected]. Sponsorships are also available and range from $250 to $750 – reach out for more details.

How to Get Supplies:

1. The application window will open on June 20th at 8 am Central Time, and will remain open until we have received applications for 500 students. Apply via this link.
2. Once applications are closed, we will open a waiting list. This list is not a guarantee of supplies, but allows us to support more students based on the amount of donations that we receive.
3. An email reminder with your scheduled time to pick up school supplies will be sent by Wednesday, August 1st. The main pickup date is set for Saturday, August 3, 8am – 2pm in a Kyle downtown location. Details and address will be sent in the email reminder.

En Espanol:

1. La ventana de solicitud se abrirá el 20 de junio a las 8 am, hora central, y permanecerá abierta hasta que hayamos recibido solicitudes de 500 estudiantes. Aplicar a través de este enlace.
2. Una vez que se cierren las solicitudes, abriremos una lista de espera. Esta lista no es una garantía de suministros, pero nos permite apoyar a más estudiantes según la cantidad de donaciones que recibamos.
3. Se enviará un recordatorio por correo electrónico con la hora programada para recoger los útiles escolares antes del miércoles 1 de agosto. La fecha principal de recogida está fijada para el sábado 3 de agosto de 8 a. m. a 2 p. m. en una ubicación del centro de Kyle. Los detalles y la dirección se enviarán en el recordatorio por correo electrónico.

Why is this School Supply Campaign Vital to our Community?

When asked about the impact that access to free school supplies has students, educators reported the following:

• 95%: Access to free supplies is critical to creating a more equal learning environment for students.
• 91%: Increase in preparedness
• 83%: Significant increase in participation
• 78%: Significant increase in student self-esteem

Questions? Email [email protected].