Brooklyn Water Bagel and McDonald's Partner with Education Foundation to Support Palm Beach County Students

Palm Beach County students are set to benefit from an influx of school supplies thanks to local efforts by Brooklyn Water Bagel and McDonald's, as they team up with the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County for the "Stuff the Bus" campaign. Donation boxes are available at select Brooklyn Water Bagel and McDonald's locations across the county, where customers can drop off items such as books, pencils, and backpacks. Frank Petrungaro, Director of Marketing for Brooklyn Water Bagel highlighted the need for these resources, saying, "We need some books, we need pencils, pens, backpacks, we're going to need some paper products," CBS12 News reports.

According to a statement obtained by CBS12 News, McDonald's franchisee Ricky Wade expressed how the campaign resonated with him personally, as many of his over 1,200 employees are parents struggling to gather school supplies and also students who manage their work-and-school life balance. Wade said, "I have over 1,200 employees who work in my organization. And there are a lot of moms, dads, who've been working on their school supplies for school starting back this year. And I know it can be a challenge for many of them."

The efforts are intended not only as philanthropy but as an investment in the future of the community's children. "I just think it's the right thing to do. And education is everything. And when you think of these young students, you're talking about the future leaders of tomorrow," Wade added. Brooklyn Water Bagel also shared its commitment to giving back, with Petrungaro saying, "We just want to give everything we can to support local schools and communities and nonprofit organizations," as noted by CBS12. The collection drive will be accepting donations through August 6.

Donors who prefer to participate in person have the option to bring their contributions to the "Stuff the Bus Drive" event on August 7, according to an Instagram post, the drive will take place at Office Depot, located at 2627 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33409, running from 6 am to 6:30 pm, representing an opportunity for the community to make a tangible, immediate difference in the lives of students and teachers.