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.  Can you help us Stuff the Bus?  School supplies most needed this year are colored pencils, crayons (24 count preferred), washable markers, glue sticks and scissors. School supply donations can be placed in collection containers that can be found at the following locations through July 23rd.  

Marshall Locations:

Bank of the West
Brau Brothers Brewing Company
Bremer Bank
Canoga Park Childcare
Elysian Chiropractic Center
First Lutheran Church
Hy-Vee
Lockwood Motors
Marshall-Lyon County Library
Menards
St. Stephen’s Church
United Way of Southwest Minnesota

Other Locations:

Sanford Clinic, Canby
Johnson Memorial Health, Dawson
She Brews Coffee, Fulda
Citizens Alliance Bank, Granite Falls
Bank of the West, Ivanhoe & Minneota
Plaid Moose, Slayton
Minnwest Bank, Tracy
Deja Brew, Tyler

The purpose of our Stuff the Bus initiative is 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 are provided with the tools that they need to be successful 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 are making 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. Because of this initiative, 52,075 school supplies were distributed in August 2020 to 3,800 students at 23 local school schools.  Each school determines their own distribution process to ensure the supplies reach students who need them.  Supplies will be sorted and distributed on August 4th, and those in need of supplies should contact their respective school district beginning on August 5th for details regarding distribution.

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 and allow us to purchase school supplies in bulk at a low cost.

Please contact United Way for more information at unitedway@unitedwayswmn.org or 507-929-2273. Those interested in volunteering can sign up online at www.unitedwayswmn.org/STB.

Thank you for helping us Stuff the Bus!