Giving Every Student a Fair Start
Every fall, thousands of Philadelphia students return to classrooms without the basic supplies they need to succeed. Pencils, notebooks, backpacks, and calculators — items many families take for granted — can be a real financial burden for households already stretched thin. That's why Gary Barbera Cares organizes an annual Back-to-School Supply Drive every August, collecting and distributing essential school materials to students across the greater Philadelphia area.
What the Drive Involves
The supply drive runs for four weeks leading up to the first day of school. Drop-off bins are placed at all Barbera Automotive Group dealership locations across the Philadelphia region, making it easy for customers, staff, and neighbors to contribute. Team members from every dealership participate in sorting, packaging, and distributing donated goods.
- Collection Sites: Multiple Barbera dealership locations across Philadelphia and surrounding counties
- Most-Needed Items: Backpacks, spiral notebooks, pens and pencils, rulers, erasers, highlighters, folders, and scientific calculators
- Distribution Partners: Local elementary, middle, and high schools in underserved zip codes
- Volunteer Hours: Barbera team members dedicate personal time to sorting and delivering supplies
Why This Program Matters
Research consistently shows that students who begin the school year prepared are more likely to stay engaged, perform better academically, and develop stronger habits of learning. When families don't have to worry about whether their child has what they need on day one, it removes a layer of stress that can affect both students and parents throughout the year.
Philadelphia's public school system serves a diverse and resilient community, but resource gaps remain a real challenge. Programs like this one aim to close those gaps — one backpack at a time.
How You Can Get Involved
You don't need to be a Barbera customer to donate. Anyone in the community is welcome to drop off supplies at any participating location during drive season. Businesses and organizations interested in hosting collection bins at their own locations are encouraged to reach out through the Gary Barbera Cares contact page.
- Visit any Barbera Automotive Group location during August
- Drop new, unused school supplies in the collection bins at the entrance
- Share the drive on social media to help spread the word
- Consider organizing a collection at your own workplace or school
A Tradition of Showing Up
The Back-to-School Supply Drive is one of the flagship initiatives of Gary Barbera Cares. It reflects a core belief that a strong community starts with educated, supported young people — and that local businesses have both the opportunity and the responsibility to invest in that future. Every donated pencil and every packed backpack is a small but meaningful act of community care.