Feel Good: Tomball Education Foundation's Impact Goes Beyond the Backpack

Feel Good: TEF’s Impact Goes Beyond the Backpack
August 28, 2026

“Stuff the Bus is more than just a supply drive,” said TEF President Kristy McCoy. “It is an ongoing process of assessing both traditional needs and nontraditional needs.”

The program works closely with Tomball ISD counselors, teachers and administrators to identify individual student needs. And the TEF team takes the time to make those gifts personal—learning a student's favorite colors, interests and preferences so the items they receive are things they will truly enjoy and be proud to use.

Student requests are anonymous. The Foundation knows only the student's grade level, gender and campus. Before shopping for a student, the Stuff the Bus team connects with the counselor who submitted the request to learn more about the child.

What's their favorite color? What kinds of clothes do they like? What are their interests?

Those details matter.

McCoy said the impact can be especially powerful for students who may have never experienced something as simple as receiving a brand-new pair of shoes.

“It is important for students to know they are loved and cared for in this community,” McCoy said.

The community has embraced that mission. Local businesses, donors, civic groups and Tomball ISD athletics, fine arts and student organizations have all helped support Stuff the Bus through donations and supply drives.

From students organizing collections to counselors identifying needs, it truly takes a community to make the program possible.

“I hope that by meeting these needs, it will lighten the burden on these families and allow kids to be kids,” McCoy said. “That community means we take care of each other and we always remember to pay it forward.”

As TEF looks ahead, the Foundation hopes to increase awareness of the full scope of Stuff the Bus while continuing to build partnerships that support Tomball ISD students throughout the year.

Because at the heart of it all, Stuff the Bus is about much more than filling backpacks.

It’s about showing students they matter—and reminding families that their community is here for them.