Pictured: The 2023 Support Our Schools Drive at Stottlemyer's brought much-needed supplies to local schools. Photo courtesy of Stottlemyer's Smokehouse.

Stottlemyer's Smokehouse is hosting their second annual Support Our Schools Drive. Through the summer, from July 16th to August 16th, 2024, the barbecue restaurant is asking the community to help stock the shelves of local elementary schools with essential school supplies. Donations will be distributed to nearby Tatum Ridge Elementary and Fruitville Elementary.

The event began in the summer of 2023 when Stottlemyer's Bar Manager, Julie Asher was tasked with creating an event for the end of summer. “I thought, what better way to end the summer than with a back to school drive!” she says. “Back to school shopping can be such a financial burden on not only families, but teachers alike. Here at Stottlemyer's, we are just as passionate about supporting live music as we are about helping our community.”

Last year’s event turned out to be so successful, the team at Stottlemyer’s decided to make it an annual occurrence. “Last year, we set up our beer garden with tables full of supplies that were donated so that families could come to fill a bag. We filled over 30 bags, but were left with a tremendous amount of supplies,” Asher explains. “I ended up dividing the leftover supplies into three different categories: elementary, middle, and high school. I then dropped off the supplies at our local schools to help those in need.” This year, Asher decided to just have the boxes out in the smokehouse for collecting donations, and when the drive is over, she will distribute them to Fruitville and Tatum Ridge Elementary. “We would like all of those in need of supplies to be able to access them without having to rely on transportation to Stottlemyer's to fill the bags,” she adds.

Donating is Easy. Anyone can participate by stopping by Stottlemyer's Smokehouse during regular business hours and dropping off their donations in the designated bins. All school supplies are welcome, but here are a few suggestions: pencils (No. 2), crayons, washable markers, highlighters, glue sticks, scissors, composition notebooks, dry erase markers, colored pencils, folders with or without prongs, tissues, pencil cases/bag.

"Our Back-to-School Drive is more than just collecting supplies," says Asher. "It's about creating a community-wide effort to support our children's education. We hope everyone will pitch in and help ensure our local students have a successful school year."

Stottlemyer’s is also inviting the community to kick off the new school year with some grown-up fun on Saturday, August 17th at 7:00pm for a celebration featuring the band Big Town Little Famous. “Our End of Summer Party is geared toward adults so that they may come and celebrate another successful summer as they send their children off to school this year,” says Asher. “The band will play from 7:00pm - 10:00pm. We will have drink specials of $5 Captain Morgan, $6 Tito's Vodka and $7 Jack Daniels Whiskey. We will also be featuring a free spirits tasting with our newest vendor Misguided Spirits, as well as a featured specialty cocktail using Misguided Spirits.”

Stottlemyer's Smokehouse, 19 East Road, Sarasota, (one mile east of I-75 off of Fruitville, 941-920-1102.

Pictured: The 2023 Support Our Schools Drive at Stottlemyer's brought much-needed supplies to local schools. Photo courtesy of Stottlemyer's Smokehouse.