Each year, United Way of 1000 Lakes calls on the community to help area students head back to school equipped for success through its annual Stuff the Bus school supplies drive. The campaign, which supports children from kindergarten through high school, provides backpacks filled with essential supplies to students in need across Itasca County and surrounding communities, including Bigfork, Cohasset, Coleraine, Deer River, Grand Rapids, Hill City, and Warba.

As many families continue to face financial pressure—particularly those categorized as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed)—the demand for basic school essentials continues to grow. Stuff the Bus aims to alleviate that burden by ensuring every student can start the school year with the tools they need to succeed, regardless of their family’s income.

Here is how you can support the drive:

Donate Supplies
Starting in mid-July, community members can drop off donations of new, unused school supplies at participating businesses and organizations throughout the region.  A complete list of locations is available at uwlakes.org/stuff-the-bus/#lists.

United Way is collecting:

• Backpacks (17″ or larger)
• Wild-ruled notebooks and plastic folders
• Writing utensils: pens, pencils, markers, highlighters
• Crayons, glue sticks, scissors, and water color paints
• Headphones, calculators, pencil boxes, and USB drives

Make a Monetary Gift
A financial gift is one of the most effective ways to support the drive. Funds raised are used to purchase high-demand supplies and backpacks in bulk, ensuring consistency and cost savings.

A gift of $25 or more provides a student with a backpack filled with supplies tailored to their classroom needs. To donate, visit uwlakes.org/stuff-the-bus/#give text LAKES to 26989 and select Stuff the Bus, or send a check by mail to:

United Way of 1000 Lakes
350 NW 1st Ave, Suite A
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Please include “Stuff the Bus” in the memo line.

Volunteer—Ideal for Groups
Volunteers are critical to preparing and delivering backpacks to students. In August, the campaign culminates with a community-wide volunteer push. Between August 25–27, volunteers will sort donations, organize supplies, and assemble backpacks in accordance with each school’s supply list.

Group volunteering is a great fit for:

• Corporate and workplace teams
• Church and service groups
• Youth groups and school clubs
• Families and friends

Volunteering together builds community spirit while helping students start the year prepared. Sign up at volunteer.uwlakes.org or contact United Way to coordinate a group project.

Request a Backpack
United Way is now accepting program registrations for the upcoming school year. Parents, teachers, youth support workers, and other caring adults can request backpacks for students online at uwlakes.org/stuff-the-bus/#request.

Each backpack is carefully packed according to the student’s grade level, age, and gender expression to ensure it meets classroom requirements and the student’s individual needs.

Why It Matters
Since 2021, Stuff the Bus has distributed over 989 backpacks, delivering more than $50,000 worth of school supplies into the hands of students who need them most. This initiative is part of United Way’s broader Ready Kids, Resilient Families strategy, which focuses on supporting educational achievement and long-term family stability.

Every contribution—whether a pack of pencils, a financial gift, or an hour of your time—helps build a stronger, more resilient community.

Join the Effort
Whether you gather your team, organize a supply drive, or make a donation, your support helps ensure students walk into classrooms this fall with confidence and the tools to thrive.

To learn more or get involved, visit uwlakes.org/stuff-the-bus or call 218-999-7570.