Getting ready to go back to school involves much more than just buying pencils and paper.
The extra costs that families encounter at the beginning of a school year can result in a huge financial strain. Ready Fest is working to provide any student in Shelby County with all the things they need to get back to the classroom, at absolutely no cost to them.
- All grade-level supplies required from Shelby County Public Schools’ annual school supply list, plus:
- Backpacks
- Hygiene products
- Clothing
- Dental screenings
- Immunizations
- Haircut gift cards
- Kindergarten and sixth grade physicals
Provided FREE to the school children of Shelby County, Kentucky.
Every year Ready Fest has a one-day event where any child attending school in Shelby County and their families can come and pick up the supplies they will need for the upcoming school year.
All of this is given to any student in Shelby County at absolutely no cost to them.
Learn About Ready Fest 2025Ready Fest 2025 Event
Saturday July 19, 2025
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Shelbyville Conference & Welcome Center
219 7th Street, Shelbyville, Kentucky
Benefits of Ready Fest
Good for Students
With their supplies, clothing, and basic hygiene needs met, students can approach the beginning of the school year with excitement and be ready to learn.
Good for Families
The extra costs that families encounter this time of year can cause enormous financial strain. By going beyond the basic school supply list, Ready Fest aims to relieve some of that stress.
Good for Teachers
Ready Fest also recognizes that many teachers and staff often spend their own time and resources fulfilling needs of students. With donations of basic supplies, clothing, and hygiene items we hope we can relieve some of the pressure from the teachers, FRYSCs, and other staff.
Good for the Community
By removing barriers for students and families, especially low-income families, we can increase student and parental engagement, and the ripple impact will be an increase in student achievement.
In 2024, Ready Fest reached 1,602 school children.
Ready Fest provides a one-stop-shop for students and families to get everything they need to be ready for a new school year.
The need is there.
We need your help.
A $20 donation provides one child with a backpack, all their school supplies, and hygiene items.
With our nonprofit status, ability to buy in bulk, and the help of our incredible community partners, we are able to completely prepare a student for the upcoming school year for just a $20 donation.
Donate Now!Corporate Sponsorship
When it comes to the children of Shelby County, small companies and corporations alike pitch in to help. We all know that when our kids are prepared and excited to focus on learning, our whole community benefits.
Corporate Sponsorship LevelsHow do we know this can be done?
We have the ability to help.
Shelby County has 7,000 students in our public school system. Over half of those students (54%), qualify for free and reduced lunch. But Shelby County is also the 5th wealthiest county in Kentucky and our per capita and household income are both higher than the national average.
Shelby County has the resources to take care of its own.
This isn’t a matter of financing, it is a matter of awareness and direction. Most of the time, people simply don’t know that there is a problem, or don’t know how they can help. Ready Fest plans to solve that problem.
Ready Fest Incorporated is a non-profit 501(c)3 Kentucky corporation, established, funded, and run entirely by volunteers.
