Asheville, August 3, 2025
News Summary
The 17th Annual Tools for Schools Drive in Asheville, organized by News 13 and Eblen Charities, aims to collect new school supplies for local children, especially those in foster care. The event will take place at Ingles Markets, providing opportunities for the community to contribute by attending the collection event and donating supplies. This initiative also addresses the needs of foster children and families receiving prevention services, ensuring that every child has the materials necessary for a successful school year.
Asheville – News 13 and Eblen Charities are gearing up for the 17th Annual Tools for Schools Drive, set to take place on Thursday, August 7, 2025. This community initiative aims to gather new school supplies for local children and is conducted in partnership with Ingles Markets. The collection event will be hosted at Ingles Markets located at 151 Smokey Park Highway in Asheville, running from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The drive focuses on supporting students, teachers, and schools in the Asheville City and Buncombe County school systems. All supplies collected will be donated at no cost to schools later in August, ensuring that students start the academic year equipped with essential materials for learning.
Residents are encouraged to participate not only by attending the collection event but also by purchasing tags at Ingles stores, which allows them to contribute directly to the cause. Collection boxes will be placed at all Ingles Market locations throughout Buncombe County, as well as at other participating businesses for the duration of the drive.
In addition to the general supply collection, the initiative has a particular focus on foster children, with the goal of assisting all 325 foster children in the Asheville area. Buncombe County Social Work is also involved, working to gather supplies for over 300 school-aged children in foster care. The drive aims to ensure that every foster child in the community has the necessary tools for a strong start to the new school year.
Extra supplies collected during the drive will be distributed to families receiving prevention services, further enhancing the outreach of this important initiative. Donations will be accepted from Tuesday, July 22, through Thursday, July 31, at various locations during normal business hours. In addition to physical supplies, financial support can also be offered through donations made via the Eblen Charities website.
Participating in the Initiative
To participate, community members can contribute in several ways:
- Attend the collection event on August 7 at Ingles Markets from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Purchase tags at Ingles stores to support the cause.
- Drop off new school supplies at collection boxes in all Ingles Markets and other participating businesses.
- Make financial donations via Eblen Charities’ website.
Background of the Tools for Schools Drive
This annual drive has become a cherished community event in Asheville, reflecting a longstanding commitment to assisting children and families in need. Over the past 16 years, Tools for Schools has facilitated the collection of thousands of school supplies, helping students engage in their education with the tools necessary for success. The partnership between local businesses, charities, and the community has been instrumental in making this initiative a reality.
Conclusion
The 17th Annual Tools for Schools Drive aims to create a positive impact in the Asheville area by providing students, particularly those in foster care, with the school supplies they need. Every donation, whether monetary or physical, contributes to ensuring that all children have a fair chance to succeed in their educational pursuits.
FAQ Section
When is the Tools for Schools Drive taking place?
The Tools for Schools Drive will take place on Thursday, August 7, 2025, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Tools for Schools Drive will take place on Thursday, August 7, 2025, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where can I donate school supplies?
Donations can be made at the collection event at Ingles Markets located at 151 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville, as well as at all Ingles Market locations and other participating businesses throughout Buncombe County.
Donations can be made at the collection event at Ingles Markets located at 151 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville, as well as at all Ingles Market locations and other participating businesses throughout Buncombe County.
What types of donations are accepted?
New school supplies and monetary donations are accepted. You can also purchase a tag at Ingles stores to support the cause.
New school supplies and monetary donations are accepted. You can also purchase a tag at Ingles stores to support the cause.
Who will benefit from the drive?
The drive aims to assist students in Asheville City and Buncombe County schools, as well as providing supplies for all 325 foster children in the area.
The drive aims to assist students in Asheville City and Buncombe County schools, as well as providing supplies for all 325 foster children in the area.
Key Features of the Tools for Schools Drive
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Date | August 7, 2025 |
| Location | Ingles Markets, 151 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville |
| Time | 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
| Focus | Collect new school supplies for local children, especially foster children |
| Additional Collection Dates | July 22 – July 31, 2025 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Buncombe County School Supplies Drive for Foster Children
Asheville to Host Annual School Supply Drive
Asheville Rail Line Set to Reopen After Hurricane Helene
Asheville Braces for Flooding as Hurricane Helene Approaches
Big Cuts to Education Research Funding Threaten Future of Student Programs
Swannanoa Hosts Musical Instrument Giveaway for Storm Victims
UNC Asheville and UNC Greensboro Face Budget Cuts
How To Use ChatGPT (AI) To Write Better Property Descriptions for Real Estate Marketing
Unexpected Discovery of Ancient Artifacts in City Museum Renovation
Additional Resources
- WLOS: 17th Annual Tools for Schools Drive
- 828 News Now: Help Foster Kids with Donations
- WLOS: Eblen Charities Tools for Schools Drive
- Mountain X: Asheville City Schools Outsources Meals
- CBS 17: Asheville Woman Burglarized
- Wikipedia: Education in the United States
- Google Search: Community Supply Drives
- Google Scholar: Supply Drive Impact
- Google News: Back to School Donations
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
