Marion County leaders launch school‑supply drive for students in transition

Marion County Public Schools representatives told commissioners July 1 that the district’s Bus Brigade and Families in Transition program began its annual school supply collection drive and asked county departments and residents to contribute.

Tom Butler, speaking for the Bus Brigade, said the program provides backpacks and supplies to hundreds of homeless and economically disadvantaged students across the district and that the official collection runs through August, culminating in an August pickup. Butler said the program distributes supplies throughout the school year and described the effort as providing dignity and support to students living in shelters, motels, cars or doubled‑up with other families.

Assistant County Administrator Amanda Tarr described a countywide department competition, bus‑decoration contest and an award called the Golden Ruler to be handed out at the Aug. 5 board meeting. Butler told the board the district currently identifies about 1,600 students as homeless; county staff and commissioners encouraged public contributions, listed multiple drop‑off sites and provided a web page for information (www.marionfl.org/rcounty/missionbusbrigade).

Why it matters: county officials said the program helps students who face housing instability start the school year with basic supplies, and that local government departments often participate in collections and a visible countywide competition.

Ending: Commissioners thanked the Bus Brigade and encouraged community participation; tally and award results will be presented at the Aug. 5 board meeting.