GFW Public Schools is proud to announce that its Community Bus initiative has received the 2026 Minnesota Community Education Association (MCEA) Statewide Project Award, recognizing the district’s community-based approach to supporting families and strengthening our connections with the community through service.
The award recognizes outstanding community education projects that demonstrate creativity, meaningful community impact, and a commitment to meeting the needs of those they serve.
What began as a retired school bus has become a mobile resource center serving residents throughout Gibbon, Fairfax, Winthrop and the surrounding communities with a dependable weekly schedule and a great mission. The bus provides free clothing, winter apparel, shoes, household essentials and other donated resources directly to individuals and families.
For a rural school district spanning approximately 400 square miles, bringing resources directly into communities helps eliminate transportation barriers and makes essential items more accessible to the residents who need them.
"This recognition is so meaningful because the Community Bus was built around a simple idea of wanting to find ways to better serve our neighbors," said Tonia Schiro, who helped bring the initiative to life. "What makes this project so special is the number of people who came together to make it happen. It's truly been a community effort from the beginning."
The collaboration behind the community bus has involved a number of different groups including GFW students, staff, community organizations, and local donors. High school Career and Technical Education students helped transform the bus by removing its seats and constructing shelving to accommodate donated items. With support from a $10,000 grant, GFW Spirit of the Season, and generous community contributions, the project took shape.
Since its launch, the Community Bus has provided opportunities for residents to access resources in communities throughout the district, demonstrating how public schools can extend their impact beyond the classroom.
"One of the most rewarding parts of this project has been seeing how willing people are to help their neighbors," Schiro added. "From the students who helped transform the bus to the individuals and organizations who continue donating supplies, everyone has played a role. This award is a reflection of the generosity and compassion that exist throughout our communities."
The statewide recognition also reflects GFW's broader commitment to its strategic plan, Rooted in Community. Rising Together, which emphasizes student experiences, collaboration, and strong relationships between the district and the communities that it serves.
As the Community Bus continues serving area residents, GFW Public Schools hopes the initiative will inspire other districts to explore creative approaches to meeting community needs by bringing resources directly to where they are needed. What started as an old school bus has become an award-winning example of the difference a school district and its communities can make when they work together.