Stuff The Bus 2023 | United Way of Southwest Minnesota

Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive

United Way of Southwest Minnesota (UWSWMN) is collecting new school supplies to help local children start the school year off right. Won’t you help us Stuff the Bus? School supplies most needed this year are colored pencils (12 count), crayons (24 count), fine or broad-tip markers, and scissors. School supply donations can be placed in collection containers at the following locations through August 16, 2023.

Marshall Locations:
•   Bank of the West
•   Bremer Bank
•   First Lutheran Church
•   Kruse Motors
•   Lockwood Motors
•   Marshall Area Chamber
•   Marshall-Lyon County Library
•   Menards
•   Minnwest Bank
•   St. Stephen Church
•   Tall Grass Liquor
•   United Way of Southwest MN

Other Locations:
•   Bank of the West – Ivanhoe
•   Bank of the West – Minneota
•   Citizens Alliance Bank – Granite Falls
•   Granite Falls Chamber – Granite Falls
•   Johnson Memorial Health – Dawson
•   Minnwest Bank – Tracy
•   Pioneer PBS – Granite Falls
•   Sanford Canby Medical Center – Canby
•   SheBrews Coffee – Fulda

Our Stuff the Bus initiative aims to provide K-12 students with the basic school supplies needed to learn and be successful, thereby allowing them (and their parents) to focus on their academic goals. When students have the tools they need to succeed in school, it eases many burdens. Children can focus on their studies without worrying about having a pencil or a notebook, and parents have some of the financial burden lifted off their shoulders. When UWSWMN provides these supplies through Stuff the Bus, we make an impact that goes much further than school supplies. We're alleviating stress, building confidence, and helping students thrive.

All collected supplies will be distributed to participating schools within the UWSWMN service area. Each school determines their distribution process to ensure the supplies reach students who need them. Supplies will be sorted and distributed on August 24th to the schools. Those needing supplies should contact their school district beginning on August 25th for details regarding distribution. Because of this initiative, over 56,000 school supplies were distributed in August 2022 to nearly 3,000 K - 12 students at 23 local school schools.

If you are unable to donate supplies but would like to contribute financially, you may mail checks to United Way of SWMN, P.O. Box 41, Marshall, MN 56258. Please note "Stuff the Bus" on the memo line. You may also donate online by visiting www.unitedwayswmn.org/STB. Financial donations are accepted year-round for this initiative, allowing us to purchase school supplies in bulk at a low cost.

For more information, please contact UWSWMN at unitedway@unitedwayswmn.org or 507-929-2273. Those interested in volunteering with this initiative should watch our Facebook page for opportunities.