Stuff the Bus
Stuff the Bus
July – August 2024
The cost of school supplies that comes with sending a child to school can be very expensive. In fact, it is estimated that parents spend an average of $864 per child in grades K-12 (according to the National Retail Federation). United Way of Washington County – East and Community Thread recognize the importance of helping all kids succeed by providing them with the essentials tools needed to start the year off right in class.
In 2022, Stuff the Bus served 715 students living within the Stillwater Area School District (a 54% increase from 2021). Although over half of the students served were in elementary school, hundreds of students in middle school and high school received supplies as well. In all, 283 households were served by the program (a 39% increase from 2020).
This year, we expect the number of families seeking help to increase once again. Thanks to the generosity of organizations, individual donors, and sponsors in the St. Croix Valley, we are optimistic that we will be able to serve families who come to us for support.
Below you will find details on how you can help students in the Stillwater Area School District have a successful school year.
Donate
Donations of new school supplies will be collected July 10 – August 6. New school supplies may also be dropped off at Community Thread, 2300 Orleans St. W., Stillwater, MN 55082.
Amazon Wishlist can be viewed here.
Target Community Registry can be viewed here.
Stay tuned for drop-off sites!
Sponsor
Support local students through a variety of sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorships are available for this year’s Stuff the Bus initiative!
More information to come in 2024.
Volunteer
Make a difference with Stuff the Bus! Sort and count supplies, assemble and bag list items, and help with pick-up days.
Volunteer as an individual, family, or team. Volunteers must be 8 years of age or older for counting and sorting, and 18 years of age or older for supply list shopping, assembling, and curbside pick-up.
Please read the buttons below to determine which volunteer sign-up form to complete. Previous volunteer sign up will open July 10.
Other ways to support
If you would like to make an online donation to Stuff the Bus, click here and designate your donation to Stuff the Bus.
Register for School Supplies
The registration form will open at 9:00am on Monday, July 24 and will remain open until Monday, August 7, or until spots are filled.
Questions?
Call Community Thread’s Volunteer Center at 651-439-7434 or United Way of Washington County – East at 651-439-3838.
We were very fortunate to have received most of my kids’ school supplies [through Stuff the Bus]. The program helped keep our out-of-pocket total to about $80. I could not afford all the supplies and am extremely grateful for this program.
– Stuff the Bus Recipient
