Stuff the Bus

Stuff the Bus logo

The 2024 Stuff the Bus School

 

In 2024, UWSWMN distributed over 60,000 supplies to approximately 4,000 local K-12 children at 22 schools within our service area.

THANKS TO ALL who supported this initiative in any way, whether donating supplies, volunteering to help, collecting supplies, or making a financial contribution. Thank you for supporting local children.

Families needing supplies should contact their school district directly regarding distribution dates/processes, as this varies from district to district.

Would you like to support Stuff the Bus in 2025?

  • Cash or check donations can be mailed to United Way of Southwest Minnesota (UWSWMN), PO Box 41, Marshall, MN 56258. Note "Stuff the Bus" in the memo field.
  • Credit card donations can be made through our secure online giving platform by clicking here.
  • CLICK HERE for a list of supplies we typically collect and distribute.
  • CLICK HERE for a list of schools that received supplies in August 2024.
  • CLICK HERE for a list of collection locations where you can drop off your donation of new school supplies.

Our Stuff the Bus initiative is more than just providing K-12 students with basic school supplies. It's about giving them the tools to learn, succeed, and thrive. When students have these tools, it not only eases burdens for children and parents but also alleviates stress, builds confidence, and helps students thrive. 

This program is open to all schools in our service area and involves many volunteers. Collection barrels and containers are placed at various locations, and local workplaces organize collection drives with specific targets for collecting supplies. UWSWMN staff determines the supplies to be purchased based on school data and past trends.

School supplies include backpacks, colored pencils, crayons, erasers, markers, notebooks, and more. Volunteers sort and pack the supplies, which are distributed at the Merit Center in Marshall, MN. School representatives pick up the supplies for their students. New school supply donations are accepted annually at the United Way office.