First Student helps collect 12,300 items for food pantries
The school bus contractor’s Belleville, Ill., terminal partners with two local school districts and the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce to collect 12,300 items of non-perishable food for the seventh annual “Drive Away Hunger” campaign. The items are donated to four food pantries in the area.

First Student's Belleville, Ill., terminal partnered with two local school districts and the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce to collect 12,300 items of non-perishable food for the seventh annual “Drive Away Hunger” campaign.
BELLEVILLE, Ill. — First Student recently partnered with Belleville School District #118, Harmony Emge School District 175 in Belleville and the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce to collect 12,300 items of non-perishable food for the seventh annual “Drive Away Hunger” campaign.
The items filled 10 school buses with non-perishable food and were donated to four food pantries in the area.
“We strive to be a valued member of the community we serve,” said Donna Griffin, location manager of First Student Belleville. “We are pleased to help out such a worthwhile cause, and I am proud of my team's effort to help those in need here in Belleville.”
Many of the 550 First Student locations across North America take an active role in their communities throughout the year, officials said. Several locations have long-term partnerships with organizations within their communities that they assist on an annual basis.
Other recent news related to First Student:
More Management

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Nearly 90 Years of Safely Transporting Wisconsin Students
From one farmer's act of service to a fourth-generation family business, Kobussen Buses reflects on nearly 90 years of earning the trust of Wisconsin families.
Read More →
Changing Lanes: AMF Bruns, Pro-Vision, CALSTART, HopSkipDrive, & Kooner
Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation industry suppliers and nonprofits.
Read More →
NCST Announces 18th Congress Event Dates, New Committees
The National Congress on School Transportation moves to St. Louis in May 2029, convening delegates and industry representatives to discuss new best practice recommendations. Now, the new committee chairs have been named.
Read More →
Key Moments from the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting in the Mile High City
From federal policy updates and OEM presentations to speed networking and industry awards, see photos and highlights from the contractor association’s summer conference in Denver.
Read More →
HopSkipDrive Launches Spanish-Language App Update, Plans Additional Language Support
The update aims to improve communication with multilingual families by offering ride tracking, notifications, and support in Spanish, with more languages planned for the 2026-2027 school year.
Read More →
Where the Yellow Bus Takes Us: School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year Winners
See the winning photos from School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year contest, featuring stunning school bus images from across the U.S., from scenic landscapes to everyday moments.
Read More →
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Student Transportation
Learn the five key elements that bus drivers and transportation directors can use to stay calm in any situation.
Read More →
2026 Back-To-School Readiness Report
Staffing gaps, flat budgets, and the distance between “mostly prepared” and ready for the 2026-2027 school year.
Read More →
National School Transportation Association Presents 2026 Award Winners
Twenty-one individuals and contractor companies were recognized for excellence in student transportation at NSTA's annual meeting and convention in Denver.
Read More →
School Transportation Data Is Only as Powerful as the Story It Tells
Leaders say turning operational metrics into student-centered narratives can help districts justify investments and improve service.
Read More →

