In preparation for the upcoming school year, United Way of 1000 Lakes is seeking donations of backpacks and school supplies as part of the annual Stuff the Bus drive, which runs through August.

The goal of the initiative is to ensure students start the school year prepared to learn and succeed by providing backpacks packed full of appropriate school supplies. Last year, over 315 backpacks were provided to students across the Itasca County area.

Starting in July, Walmart and Target Grand Rapids locations will be accepting donations of school supplies. In August, a push to fill the bus will be held in the Target parking lot on August 8th (3-7 p.m.) and August 13th (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), with a final packing party on August 15th (4-6 p.m.) at Klockow Brewing Co. 36 SE 10th St, Grand Rapids, MN 55744), where volunteers will pack donated supplies into backpacks in accordance with each schools’ supply lists. Volunteers are needed to assist with collecting, inventorying, individually packing, and distributing the backpacks to students. To learn more and sign up, visit Bonfire, the Itasca area’s volunteer platform, at volunteer.uwlakes.org or contact United Way staff at 218-999-7570.

Backpacks full of school supplies will be distributed to students who live or attend school in United Way’s service area, which includes Bigfork, Coleraine, Deer River, Hill City, and Grand Rapids schools. United Way is now accepting program registrations for the upcoming 2024-25 school year. Parents, teachers, youth support workers, and other caring adults can request backpacks online at uwlakes.org/stuff-the-bus/#request.  Each backpack is packed with the specifications of the student’s age, gender expression, and grade level.

Stuff the Bus will collect school supplies from direct donations that can be dropped off at United Way (350 NW 1st Ave., Suite A, Grand Rapids), while Grand Rapids Target and Walmart stores will serve as collection points. Itasca County residents also have the option of donating by purchasing items from a Target and Walmart wishlists or by making a financial contribution by texting LAKES to 26989 and selecting “Stuff the Bus” from the dropdown menu.

Needed School Supplies
Standard-size, age-appropriate backpacks for elementary, middle, and high school students
3-ring binders 1” (black)
3- and 5-subject notebooks
#2 wooden pencils
Blue and black pens
Colored pencils
Disinfecting wipes
Dry-erase Expo markers (black)
Crayola fine and broad-tip markers
Headphones
Large tissue boxes
Pencil boxes
Post-its
Pint, quart, and gallon-sized Ziploc bags
Plastic pocket folders (red, blue, green, and purple preferred)
Water bottles