KRBC’s Tools for School Brings Abilene & Big Country Together for Local Students

(KRBC) – This year’s KRBC Tools for School drive proved, once again, that the Abilene and Big Country community shows up in a big way when it matters most. Thanks to the generosity of individuals, families, businesses, and civic groups, truckloads of school supplies were collected—everything from backpacks and notebooks to pencils, markers, and glue sticks. These donations will soon find their way into the hands of local students, easing the financial burden on families and helping children walk into the school year prepared and confident.

The annual campaign, hosted by KRBC, partners with two long-standing nonprofit organizations that understand the needs of local students on a deeply personal level: Communities in Schools and the Christian Service Center.

Communities in Schools works year-round to help students overcome barriers that can keep them from succeeding in school. Serving 10,000 students across 22 campuses in six school districts, their team is more than just a resource—they’re a trusted presence in the lives of children and families. Staff members don’t just deliver supplies and walk away; they know the students by name, follow their progress, and form relationships that last for years.

Similarly, Christian Service Center has been a cornerstone in Abilene for six decades, supporting families in times of need. From providing essentials like clothing and household goods to offering school supplies every fall, the center’s mission is rooted in care, dignity, and personal connection. For 60 years, they’ve stood alongside families, building trust and offering consistent support through life’s ups and downs.

For KRBC, Abilene’s first television station, partnering with organizations like these is more than a community outreach project—it’s an extension of the station’s own legacy of service. Since 1953, KRBC has been part of daily life in Abilene, bringing news, weather, and programming into homes across the Big Country. That same commitment to informing and uplifting the community is what drives the Tools for School initiative.

KRBC’s goal isn’t just to collect school supplies; it’s to help ensure that every student in our region feels seen, supported, and ready to learn. Education is more than textbooks and test scores—it’s about giving young people the tools and confidence to build their futures. By working with organizations that form long-term bonds with the families they serve, KRBC helps ensure that the generosity of donors has a lasting impact.

The success of Tools for School is a reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together for a shared purpose. Every notebook, every backpack, and every box of crayons represents more than just a school supply—it’s a message to a child that their community believes in them.

To our sponsor First Bank Texas, the good people at Walmart, and everyone who donated, volunteered, or spread the word: thank you. Your kindness helps make Abilene and the Big Country a place where kids can dream big, knowing they have a community behind them every step of the way.