First Bank & Trust leads Pack the Bus effort

8 21 pack the bus 1 scaledThe 2026 Fairlawn Pack the Bus campaign collected a record number of school supply items to be distributed to students returning to school this fall in Pulaski County.  “Now in its ninth year serving as the collection point in Fairlawn, First Bank & Trust Company has collected 5,600 school supplies to be donated to students attending Pulaski County Schools. In addition to the school supplies, First Bank & Trust donated $2,500 to Pulaski County schools. Pictured are First Bank & Trust’s Katherine Kelley (left) and Taylor Ritter (right).

By DANIELLE REID

Patriot Publishing

Pack the Bus campaigns have been a mainstay for acquiring school supplies for children returning to their classrooms in the fall. Now in it’s ninth year serving as a collection point in Fairlawn, First Bank & Trust Company has collected 5,600 school supply items to be donated to students attending Pulaski County Schools. In addition to the school supplies, First Bank \& Trust donated $2,500 to benefit Pulaski County schools.

 

 

 

The donated school supplies are generally for every grade level from K-12, but some communities target specific grades such as elementary school (K-5) or middle school grades; depending on where the greatest needs are in the local area.  Parents can contact their child’s school office or school counselor before the school year begins to ask how to receive these donated backpacks and items.

 

 

 

Taylor Ritter, Branch Operations Supervisor for Fairlawn First Bank & Trust, served as the point person for this year’s Pack The Bus school supply donations in Fairlawn.  The successful Pack the Bus campaign began on June 1st and concluded on July 31st, 2026.  She said that a former branch manager, now retired, saw the need and started the Fairlawn Pack the Bus campaign nine years ago.

 

 

 

“At First Bank & Trust Company, we believe in the power of community and the importance of education. That’s why we were thrilled to be part of the 9th Annual Fairlawn Pack the Bus event,” acknowledged Ritter.

 

 

 

The school bus was on loan from Pulaski County School District to First Bank & Trust Company, located at 7305 Peppers Ferry Blvd.  School supply donations were received during bank business hours; Monday – Friday 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m.

 

 

 

Once the supplies were collected, they were packed up and delivered to the Pulaski County School Board, who distributed the supplies where needed across the county.

 

 

 

Pack the Bus school supplies collected in Fairlawn for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year include:

 

Loose Leaf Notebook Paper

 

#2 Pencils& Ink Pens

 

Glue Sticks \& Rulers

 

Index Cards

 

Tissues

 

Sanitizing Wipes

 

Individual Water Bottles

 

Book bags for all ages K-12

 

Spiral Notebooks

 

Crayons

 

Colored Pencils

 

Hand Sanitizer

 

Pencil Pouch

 

Erasers

 

3 Ring Binders (all sizes)

 

Scissors

 

Dry Erase Markers

 

Clear Protector Sheets (for 3 Ring Binders)

 

Wired Ear Buds

 

Composition Notebooks

 

Pocket Folders

 

 

 

“As a company deeply rooted in the communities we serve, we’re committed to supporting local students and families. We want to thank everyone who participated in our mission to ensure that every child has the tools they need to thrive in the 2026-2027 school year and beyond,” stated Ritter.